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The Countdown is Over!!!! Happy Birthday Madonna!!!

photos by: Jason Lee for SalonSpotter

Today is considered by many Gays as a Holy Day. To the non-gays it may represent the day Elvis died, for the Gays, its the day we resurrected and Madonna was born!!!!!!! Long may she reign!!! Happy Holidays to all of the gays and non-gays who are celebrating around the world!!!!
xoxo
Salonspotter

Madonna's Birthday countdown: 01 Days left!!!

Madonna newspaper photo
Originally uploaded by Alan Light

Tomorrow is Madonna's 51st Birthday!!!! Everybody get out your cone bras and jelly bracelets to celebrate the special day!!! Check out the hair as she performs Vogue back in 1991.

Countdown to madonna's birthday!!!

Madonna
Originally uploaded by Alan Light

Being the hot mess that I am, I'm counting down to Madonna's 51st birthday this Sunday!! Needless to say, we all need to get down on our knees and thank her for inspiring so many different hairstyles and trends over the past 25 years. Here's today's pic by Alan Light!! This pic is classic Madonna with her boytoy of the time Tony Ward and back up singer Donna DeLory. Long live the Queen.

Ask Jason,

brooklyn psychotherapy
Originally uploaded by corrinely

Everyone knows that your hairdresser is the closest thing to a therapist. Over the past 16 years, I've cut/colored and listened to my clients through all kinds of different crazy and not so crazy scenarios. Starting this week we're going to hit the streets with our video camera to find out if you have any questions for me to answer about life, love and hair dilemmas. If you're not into video questions, you can write in your questions and I'll answer them for you here. It's time to pour out your hearts...
xoxo
salonspotter

Sidewalk Talk (Bay & Bloor, Toronto)

Golnaz was spotted by our papa-paparazzi at the corner of Bay and Bloor because her hair looked amazing. Violet over at Bob and Paige does her color and Anthony from Leoni's did her cut.

"Ask an Expert" over at Slice.ca

photo by: Joseph Saraceno

Have any good hair questions for me? Well go check out www.slice.ca (a Canadian TV specialty channel) where I will be answering questions at their "Ask an Expert" section. (Click on the title to take you there).
xoxo
SalonSpotter

Sidewalk Talk (Rockefeller Center, New York)

photos by: Michelle Heimerman for SalonSpotter

Aishna from BK was spotted at Rockefeller Center because her curls were so fab! Her choice is Shauney Rivera in Fairfield, CT.

Watch out guys! Our paparazzi is now on the streets of Montreal!!

Sidewalk Talk (Greene and Spring Streets in Soho, New York)

photo by: Michelle Heimerman for SalonSpotter

Kara was spotted in Soho because of her amazing hair. She's a fan of the John Dellaria Salon. Her cut is by Danielle Kelly and her color is by Virginia Reardon. Great job!

Sidewalk Talk (Christie & Rivington in the Lower East Side, New York)

photo by: Michelle Heimerman for SalonSpotter

Kim's very cool haircut is done at Aki's Cutting Room. It's all about short hair these days and this is a very original way of working with curly hair.
xoxo
SalonSpotter

Salon Spotted: Garren New York

Hidden behind the gold doors of the Sherry Netherland’s Hotel entrance, it’s only a short walk up 1 ½ flight of stairs to get to the incredible Garren New York Salon. Once entering the salon, I am warmly greeted by the Garren staff, soon to be welcomed by the man himself, Garren. Whether you are a hair afficionado or not, Garren has in some way or another touched your life if not for his presence in Pop Culture alone. He’s the man who recently chopped off all of Victoria Beckham’s hair (thanks to the referral of friend Naomi...yes that Naomi!) Garren is also the man responsible for Madonna’s hair in the SEX book as well as for her many Marilyn Monroe incarnations in the 1990's and most recently for the Louis Vuitton ads this past year. He’s worked on countless celebrities including Audrey Hepburn, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwen Stefani, etc., and he has over 1000 magazine covers under his belt. The salon itself is charming, comfortable and refined. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and from what I could tell, had zero attitude. Garren is a well groomed man whose eyes are piercing if not for their extreme focus. The lighting in the salon is soft and illuminating which serves well for both client and stylist alike. Garren and I sat down and chatted about how a boy from Niagara Falls ended up becoming one of the world’s biggest hairdressers, what was on his iPod and who really designed his salon robes.

SalonSpotter: So first things first, is it true that Ana Sui designed your salon robes? Usually, salon robes are made out of some horrible synthetic material and have an illustration of scissors on the back!
Garren: (laughter) Ana Sui and I have been friends for years. I asked her after we left Henri Bendel, could you turn me on to someone who could make more robes? She knew the salon so she just picked the fabrics. (Editor’s note, the gowns are animal print and look soft!)

SalonSpotter: How is the functionality of the salon? What is the flow like here?
Garren: Clients don’t seem to wait long when they come here. They get changed and they’re in the chair. I don’t believe in the 1/2 hour-45 minute wait. I find it unprofessional.

SalonSpotter: So how did a young boy from Niagara Falls end up becoming one of New York’s biggest hairdressers if not the world’s biggest hairdressers?
Garren: At 13 I was looking at Harper’s Bazzar and Vogue magazines. I was in love with Twiggy and I was looking to Kenneth, Alexandre de Paris, Sassoon and the big movie star hair. Glam. That’s when I decided I wanted to cut (hair) and my poor mother was my mannequin as were all of her friends. I was self taught. I went to beauty school and started working with wigs in a salon underage. Working with wigs gave me the extravagant part of it. It was all about big hair in the 60's. Then I met Suzanne Chadwick who worked for the Glemby Company who had salons all over. Eventually, I became the Creative Director for Glemby and they opened a salon for me at the Plaza Hotel where I stayed between ‘78-‘83. After I left there I was on my own doing hair at home. I had been doing fashion work since ‘73 and that was my dream but I also knew I had to keep the salon work going because that’s my reality. When you work in fashion all of the time you get disjointed. You seem to be able to solve problems when you work in salon.

Garren and Christopher Barriscale came up with the design of the salon. The pairing worked together before for Garren’s previous salon which was located in Henri Bendel’s. “The Henri Bendel space in the mid 1990's was Cecil Beaton meets Handsome Townhouse” explained Garren. “When (the Sherry Netherland’s Hotel) came along, I wanted it to look like the Museum of Modern Art, simple, sleek, very chic, repeated bronze and we brought in some stainless steel”. A few other stand out pieces are a Kagan sofa (which friend Ana Sui helped to make happen) and the crystal wall which was inspired by Garren’s chandelier in his Florida home. Attention to detail could be Garren’s middle name and perhaps that is the secret to his success.

SalonSpotter: What’s your favorite part of doing hair?
Garren: My philosophy is to bring the glamour to the real woman. I get the most excitement out of doing someone from the Mid West or Florida whose kid bought them a gift certificate to make their mom over. I get more enjoyment out of that than doing a celebrity cover.

SalonSpotter: What tools do you use when working?
Garren: I use scissors, razors, I very seldomly use texturizing shears, I rather texturize with a razor than scissor, definitely on men I use clippers, I use irons, set rollers, clippies, pin curls, rollers.

Garren shared how the original idea for Madonna’s hair in the Louis Vuitton ads were meant to have a pom pom frizz at the front and pom pom tail at the back for the shoot. On a plane ride, Garren suggested to photographer Steven Meisel that they do the Madonna waves women could relate to. He did the wave thing with a side part so it had the Veronica Lake effect, added some grease and the rest is history. “She has great hair. She’s Italian, she has beautiful wavy hair” said Garren of Madonna’s tresses.

Another great story Garren shared with me was of his dream to work on Audrey Hepburn. He recalls not being at home at the time the phone call came in. He had already styled her hair for a Vanity Fair cover and she left a message on his answering machine. “Hello Garren, this is Audrey Hepburn, I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m being awarded the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award and I would love you to do my hair for it and I’m wearing Givenchy and Ralph Lauren is presenting it to me and if you have the time I would so appreciate it.” Needless to say, Garren did her hair.

SalonSpotter: What’s on your iPod?
Garren: I don’t have an iPod! Well, I have one at home. I like mood music. I like music that makes me calm. Yes, I listen to Madonna and the Pet Shop Boys, I like American Idol!! I liked Adam!

Garren New York is one of the top salons in NYC. Without a doubt their services will be top notch. It's a comfortable salon without all of the attitude and you will for sure enjoy your visit. Check out the website at: www.garrennewyork.com or book your appointment at: 212-841-9400. All of the staff are trained by Garren himself and in my opinion their work is classic and workable hair.

Sidewalk Talk (57th & 7th, New York City)

photo by: Michelle Heimerman for SalonSpotter

Spotted at 57th &7th Ave, Jennifer has a great cut and color that works for her! Noemi Monahan is her stylist and colorist in the Bronx. We love this shorter version of Julianne Moore because as with Julianne, the color works for her skin tones perfectly. Well done!
xoxo
SalonSpotter

Sidewalk Talk (Meatpacking District, New York)

photo by: Michelle Heimerman for SalonSpotter

How could we not stop the stunning beauty known as Beth who (luckily for us) looked camera ready!! She was walking in the Meatpacking district and her hair spoke to us! The perfect waves and beautiful soft color was done at Caru in Hoboken, NJ. We love Hoboken and it's a 10 minute train ride from the city by the PATH train. Good job Beth!!!
xoxo
SalonSpotter

Coming soon....my personal interview with Garren

SalonSpotter hearts NYC!

photos by: Michelle Heimerman for SalonSpotter

We have a great interview with the Hair God himself Garren from Garren New York coming soon!!! Also, stay tuned for more Sidewalk Talk in NYC. Can someone tell Sally Hershberger and Orlando to call me please....we love NYC and look forward to doing a ton more!! Watch out for our hair paparazzi on the streets of a city near you!!!
xoxo
SalonSpotter

Sidewalk Talk (Lower East Village, New York)

photo by: Michelle Heimerman for SalonSpotter

Spotted in the East Village for her cool style between 2nd and 13th is Mia originally from Los Angeles. Her latest "trim" comes from the salon aptly titled "TRIM" in Venice, CA. Guess we'll have to go for a visit to Cali soon!!!

Sidewalk Talk (Williamsburg Brooklyn, New York)

photo: Michelle Heimerman for SalonSpotter

The return to bleach blonde a la Papa Don't Preach 1986 is popping up everywhere these days. Check out Alina in Williamsburg BK with her amazing hip hair. She is a fan of Laurie Foley for cut/color.

Beauty Spotted: Delineation (Toronto)

photos by: Dana Bronsteter for SalonSpotter


If there was one store in all of Toronto that you need to know about when it comes to hair products, it's Delineation. They are a well known hair/beauty spot that does everything. The thing I love about Delineation is that the staff are always warm and welcoming and are very well trained on the products they are selling. Often times I will send my own clients there to pick up hair products because I trust Delineation to not only have great products on site but to educate them on how to use the products properly. Owners Patti Coyne and Michael Victor know exactly what it takes to stay on top of the beauty game. They are located in the midtown Toronto area at 2409 Yonge Street.



SalonSpotter: For those of us who don't know you guys, please tell us a little bit about Delineation. What is your philosophy?
Delineation: Since 1982, Delineation Hair and Skin Essentials has provided Toronto with superior hair, skin and make-up services and an established retail environment specializing in hard-to-find and high-end beauty products. Our philosophy is building enduring and rewarding relationships with our clients and community, through knowledge, wellness and superior service. We continually search the industry market place for the newest technology and the highest quality hair care, skin care, and nail care products in order to provide our clients with the utmost in the beauty care experience.

SalonSpotter: What sets you guys apart from other hair/cosmetic stores out there?
Delineation: Our incredible selection of products, exclusivity of many lines, knowledge and continual education and our outstanding reputation. We also test the products in our salon and spa before we sell to the public.

SalonSpotter: What are some of your top selling products?
Delineation: It depends on the season, but here are some top sellers for the year so far:

- Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner
- Hair Quencher Mask by Hair & Skin Essentials
- Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion
- 3D Brush by Hot Heads
- Kérastase Lait Vital and Bain Satin 2

SalonSpotter: Overall, which lines do you carry at your store?
Delineation: Our Hair care lines include: Bumble and Bumble, Kevin Murphy, Kérastase, René Furterer, Lazartigue, Oribe and Mixed Chicks (to name a few). We also carry skin care lines like: Mario Badescu, Chantecaille, Clé de Peau, Guinot and Dermalogica. For body care our lines include: Acca Kappa, Belle de Provence, Consonant and Prince Reigns. We are also known for carrying Task Masters, a specific product from any given line that we know performs like no other.

SalonSpotter: You guys are known for having exclusive lines, how do you go by selecting the products you carry in the store?
Delineation: Most of the time companies/vendors will come to us with products that they want us to sample. We look for products and product lines that are unique and that perform the task at hand. Then we educate ourselves on the brand and products and finally we test the products for ourselves. If we are satisfied with the results, we will bring it into the store. We also get a lot of product referrals from our clients, staff members and from the media.

SalonSpotter: What services do you offer at Delineation?
SalonSpotter: We offer superior hair, skin, and make-up services. We have hair stylist’s that specialize in curly hair cuts, great lengths hair extensions, colour and hi-lights, as well as tailored hair and scalp treatments. Our spa services include everything from the basic mani / pedi to isolaz painless laser therapy.

SalonSpotter: If someone comes into Delineation with curly or dry hair, what would you recommend for them to purchase? How would you approach their hair texture?
Delineation: Each head of hair is different, so the first thing we would do is assess the hairs texture and the degree of dryness and/or frizziness. We do this by touching and feeling the hair and by asking our client lot’s questions so we understand what their concerns are and figure out what we can do to help.

SalonSpotter: Everyone always complains about having a thousand different products under their bathroom sink, how can we avoid this common mistake?
Delineation: There are thousands of beauty products out there, so it is easy to get overwhelmed and just buy the first thing we see that we ‘think’ will work for us. But, it is important to consult a professional who is educated on the products and can assess your hair texture and your concerns to recommend what is right for you.

SalonSpotter: What's the difference between a shampoo sold at a Drug Store brand level verses that of a professional hair care line?
Delineation: The quality of ingredients is huge, but also the concentration level of the ingredients and, of course, the performance of the products

In NYC to bring you more...

hey y'all. We're in NYC right now gathering more information for your reading pleasure!! Over the coming months we'll be hopping from city to city checking out the latest and greatest in hair.

freakin' good product of the day

Sally Hershberger is one of the great hairdressers out there and she has recently launched her very own product line that is sold on a commercial level. Today, I did a test on my clients at the salon using the Style primer and the Supreme lift and I really liked the results! The products gave the hair a good grip and lift that a lot of other products don't do! When I blowdried one of my clients with straight, limp hair, the hair stayed full and thick. Impressive!!! I look forward to trying the other products and reporting back more good news!!! Check it out!

Sidewalk Talk (Toronto)

Looking fabulous on Bloor Street in Toronto, Madison is a fan of Bobby at "Dew Salon". She also gets her hair blowdried at the "Tony Chaar Salon"

Celebrity spotted: Entertainment Tonight's Kim D'Eon

Entertainment Tonight Canada's Kim D'Eon has travelled the world over interviewing the world's biggest stars. Whether she is in Greece or NYC, Los Angeles or the Caribbean, Kim always looks beautiful. The ET Canada host spoke with us about beauty secrets, the Yeah Yeah Yeah's, what's on her mind these days and so much more.

SalonSpotter: On ET Canada, you get to wear some pretty great clothes while you're interviewing the world's biggest celebrities. Who are some of your favorite designers?
Kim D'Eon: WAYNE CLARK, BETSEY JOHNSON, NICOLE MILLER. They all make beautiful dresses that fit my body.

SalonSpotter: Of all the celebrities you've ever interviewed, who had (in your opinion) the best style and why?
Kim D'Eon: There are too many! How could I narrow it down? I really like Rihanna’s style. She takes risks and she’s not too “princess-y”. I think Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Sienna Miller can always have something cuddly, cute and sexy all at once which I admire. Generally, I like a more undone feminine style; Nothing too precious.

SalonSpotter: Which celebrities hair do you like?
Kim D'Eon: Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Sarah Jessica Parker – basically any one with a Jessica in their name. lol.

SalonSpotter: Do you have any beauty tips for our readers?
Kim D'Eon: I just read about this in a magazine the other day. I tried it and it worked! After you apply your concealer and/or foundation and blush, apply a light powder, spritz the face with water and pat with a tissue. It sets the makeup and also makes it look more natural.

SalonSpotter: What type of make up do you like and/or recommend?
Kim D'eon: I love L'oreal mascara and Quo liquid liner and I don’t go anywhere without my Jane Iredale lip gloss. But other than that, I have makeup wanderlust. I’m always trying out different stuff. I’ll pay more for a good base, but I find the products for colour (ie. blush, eyeshadow) don’t need to be super expensive to be good.

SalonSpotter: What essentials do you keep in your purse?
Kin D'Eon: Hand cream and lip gloss

SalonSpotter: How do you take care of your skin?
Kim D'Eon: I’ve had the same routine since I was a teenager. I wash with Dove soap every night. Pretty basic. I love Aveda moisture lotion, but over the last few years have been addicted to La Roche-Posay facial moisturizer with SPF 40. Besides protecting my face from the sun, the cream makes my dry skin soft and “dewy”.

SalonSpotter: What's on your iPod these days?
Kim D'Eon: I’ve been listening to the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kings of Leon, Metric and MGMT and I can always use a good dose of Ne-yo.

SalonSpotter: What are some of your favorite tv shows?
Kim D'Eon: Friday Night Lights, Six Feet Under, and House.

SalonSpotter: What's on your mind these days?
Kim D'Eon: Lots of things: How water bottles and plastic bags are out of control; How safe or dangerous flying is; My family back home in Halifax; how to maintain a healthy and positive life.

SalonSpotter: How do you define Healthy?
Kim D'Eon: Knowledge and balance.

You can watch Kim D'Eon on Entertainment Tonight Canada on Global and Slice. Check your local listings.

Sidewalk Talk (Toronto)

Girls with curls are always looking for a great place to get their hair cut. Elena was spotted because her curly tresses look so amazing. She chooses "W Salon" to get her hair did.

Sidewalk Talk (Yorkville, Toronto)

Natalie, Amy and Lisa definitely look great. We stopped them and found out they go to Mosaic Salon to keep up their trendy look.

Sidewalk Talk (Bloor Street, Toronto)

Riley and her little pooch were stopped walking along upscale Bloor Street because of her beautiful hair. Her salon of choice: Salon Daniel in Yorkville

"I can't stop crying over the sad news. I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever! My heart goes out to his three children and other members of his family. God bless."Madonna

Salon Spotted: Salvatore Leonetti Salon (Toronto)

From the minute I walked down the flight of stairs and passed through the glass doors, I was greeted with a welcoming smile by a staff member of the Salvatore Leonetti Salon in Toronto Canada. Located at 69 Yorkville Ave, this salon differs from the rest in that it really is one of the salons people are talking about. Perhaps it's the modern decor with pink wall paper at the color area. Perhaps it's the fact that on a Tuesday morning, the salon is bustling with Toronto's elite and out of towners that die for the Salvatore Leonetti touch. Quickly I notice a superb blowdry being done by one of the younger staff on a regular client. I am impressed by the beautiful accents of flowers well placed throughout the salon as are the details in the smartly organized layout of the salon. With a very cool coffee/espresso bar and Jellybeans at the front desk, this salon has all of the right touches without the ego. Perhaps its the front desk reception Andrew who impresses me the most or the fact that Douglas Timleck (a 30 year veteran colorist in the city) is part of the team. Either way, this staff has it going on.

I sat down with one of the salon owners, Salvatore Leonetti himself (co-owner Wendy Cho wasn't present at the time of the interview) and we chatted about what makes his salon so special.

SalonSpotter: What type of hair do you guys produce?
Salvatore Leonetti: Lifestyle hair. Not Queen Street. Every day hair that doesn't have to be over the top. I am big on the health of the hair. Big on treatments. We're definitely known for our blondes and Douglas Timleck is one of the best colorists in the city.

SalonSpotter: Who are your clients?
Salvatore Leonetti: Rosedale, Forrest Hill, but everyone really...

SalonSpotter: How would you describe your price range?
Salvatore Leonetti: Normal for the area. (Editor's note, Yorkville is a high end area, cuts go anywhere from $55-$400)

SaslonSpotter: What do you use when cutting?
Salvatore Leonetti: Mainly shears and texturizers. We don't use razors. When we blowdry we use natural bristle brushes and I also have a T3 ceramic brush.

SalonSpotter: What lines do you carry here at the salon?
Salvatore Leonetti: Rene Futurer, L'Oreal and Moroccan Oil

SalonSpotter: Where is parking?
Salvatore Leonetti: Either side of Yorkville and soon in front (of the salon)


Salvatore has a scheduled client walk in and he is off to his busy day. I'm impressed that he shares with me that he'll be travelling this fall to Paris and London for Fashion week as he prepares his clients who will be shopping off the runways! An excellent salon and with a great team. Congrats on your success!

Salvatore Leonetti Salon
www.salvatoreleonettisalon.com
69 Yorkville Ave. (Lower Level)
416.849.9385

xoxo
SalonSpotter

welcome to salonspotter....

Sidewalk Talk: (Queen West, Toronto)

Where do all the cool people go? Apparently, Civello Salon and Spa! (from left to right) Liliana, Stacy and Jennifer are all fans.

Sidewalk Talk (yorkville, Toronto)

Sitting on a bench in Yorkville, Leah was spotted because of her blonde hair. She is a fan of Fiorio Salon on Cumberland. Her colorist is Marc and her stylist is Alli.
xoxo
SalonSpotter

Sidewalk Talk (Midtown, Toronto)

Check out Jennifer's awesome layered bob. She's a fan of Stella at Fiorio Salons in Toronto. This relaxed summer look is quitenssential mid town Toronto!

SalonSpotted: Howard Barr (Toronto), www.howardbarr.com

Sitting in a Sushi Bar across from one of Toronto's most accomplished hairdressers Howard Barr and it dawns on me that SalonSpotter is much more than just a guide to great hair salons. It's while I'm devouring my shrimp tempura roll with Howard that I realize SalonSpotter sometimes acts as a venue to chat with those who live their lives with a deep connection to their authentic self and isn't that how greatness happens? Howard tells me about how he started his career in London England where he studied with Bruno Moscolo (one of the Moscolo siblings who ended up creating the Toni and Guy empire) which was where he learned the fundamentals of hairdressing. He remembers those days in London with great fondness of the creative competitiveness between stylists. Something he suggests is no longer visible in the industry. He recalls regularly hanging out with London's other hairdressers after work at a pub on South Moulton Street. This is the moment that I realize that I'm dealing with a guy who has truly lived his life as a hairdresser. Some of us call ourselves hairdressers because we can take razors and make funky rock star-type cuts, whilst others live the lifestyle. Howard Barr ended up listening to what the hair Gods instructed him to do and after reading about a job in the Hairdressers Journal he moved to Beverly Hills where he would work on countless celebrities and editorial photoshoots. It was between sips of my green tea and miso soup that Howard Barr dropped names like Herb Ritts and Helmet Newton (two of the world's most acclaimed photographers) when he recounts working as a hairdresser in the years between LA and NYC. Howard is a man that truly understands the hair world and appreciates where he is today in his life. Now a father and husband, Toronto is currently where he calls home and the Howard Barr studio located at 261A Queen Street West is a cool yet humble hair salon. He has a colour technician, Joanne Skillin who he describes as a great all rounded colorist with 18 years of experience. I ask Howard how he cuts and he says he "mainly uses sheers, not a lot of razor". He went on to suggest that not a lot of hairdressers actually know how to use a razor well. The conversation continued in this direction:

SalonSpotter: "Do you have a hair tip for our readers?"
Howard Barr: "Don't be afraid to change hairdressers. If you had a doctor you didn't trust, you'd move. Same goes for a hairdresser. Don't be so loyal".

SalonSpotter: "Where is hair these days?"
Howard Barr: "Celebrities call the shots these days. It's a little frustrating. Katie Holmes gets a new haircut but is it really a "new" haircut? Not really. It's new for her. Actresses actually can't really change their hair that much so it's frustrating. Colour however is a lot more interesting. More vivid blondes and reds. It might be something driven by the economy (as women) may want something they can do themselves. Where tone on tone hilites were really what was happening, a full colour might be able to be done at home. Roots are big".

SalonSpotter: "what do you think of the $800 haircut" (suggesting contemporaries like Sally Hershberger or Orlando Pita)
Howard Barr: "it's capitalism. do I believe a haircut is worth it? not really."

SalonSpotter: "what's on your ipod these days?"
Howard Barr: "Empire of the Sun (a retro '80's band from England), Radiohead, Oasis"

Howard is looking at his watch; a sign of an authentic hairdresser! (These days most diva hairdressers arrive late for any appointment, but even with all of his accomplishments, Howard still wants to be on time for his 2pm haircut). Before he dashes off, I ask him where there is to park for clients when they visit his studio. He says "there are parking lots all around the city, McCaul Street, Village by the Grange". His price range may be pricey for the Queen Street area, but at somewhere around the $100 mark, the price seems like a steal for his time. As I gather my prada bag and trench coat, I have a moment where I think that perhaps my generation of hairdressers are a bit spoiled! Howard Barr is a real British hairdresser at heart and Toronto is lucky to have him.

www.howardbarr.com (or just click on the title link to take you there)

SalonSpotted: Hair On The Avenue (Toronto), www.hairontheavenue.ca

One of my absolute fav salons in Toronto is Hair On The Avenue. The Art Deco inspired salon is one of thee 'places to go' these days. Located just south of Davenport on Avenue Rd., Hair On The Avenue is a very friendly down-to-earth salon with all of the luxuries built in (no hairdresser Divas here! Thank God!) The very-good-looking staff 'came together in a very organic way' describes one of the owners, Luis Pacheco. With 'staff meetings' that discuss creative direction, the team at Hair On The Avenue always strive to be on the cutting edge of fashion and trends. From specializing in 'blondes' to men's cuts to the latest success of the "blown" bar (where clients can come in for weekly blowouts), Hair On The Avenue has everything your heart desires!! On occasion, you may even run into a celebrity or two here just don't expect them to tell you about it though, they have a no "style and tell" policy!

Hair tip from Pacheco: "Don't over process your hair. I will turn away a client who wants to colour their hair every 2 weeks. Good products are essential for the maintenance of good hair. 50% of great hair is the product".

Luis suggests Kerastase as a fav product and considers it 'next to magic'!

Price: Modest for the area

Parking: Street Parking and Whole Foods across the street

Contact info: www.hairontheavenue.ca
112 Avenue Road, Toronto Canada
416. 922. 0112

Sidewalk Talk (yorkville, Toronto)

Listen up hipsters, Kristina and Christopher are fans of Toni and Guy and that's where they go for their hair to stay looking so cool. If you like their style, now you know their secret.
xoxo
salonspotter

Spotted: Health with Dr. Leslie Ee

Oprah may have Dr. Oz, but SalonSpotter has Dr. Ee and we're going to share with you Dr. Ee's naturopathic approach to hair. First off, it was explained to us by the good doctor that naturopathic medicine is considered an alternative medicine. Naturopathic medicine differs from 'traditional' medicine because it uses herbs, acupuncture, vitamins and dietary lifestyle as opposed to using medication. Ultimately, the best way to approach health would be to use 'traditional western' medicine in conjunction with a naturopathic approach.

SalonSpotter: Why do women lose hair soon after having a baby and is there anything they can do about it?
Dr. Ee: Well, sometimes when women give birth, their hormones are a little bit out of whack. Estrogen caters specifically towards hair growth. Sometimes the estrogen to progesterone ratio is not good (after having a baby) so we look at saliva testing. Blood testing is not as exact as saliva testing because blood is like a buffering system and when you test the blood, the estrogen/progesterone can be normal, but the estrogen/progesterone on a tissue levels may (infact) not be normal (as demonstrated) by saliva testing. By monitoring the real estrogen/progesterone active levels in the cells we can replace the amount of it. We then suggest certain bio-identical creams and inject vitamins and minerals into that particular area, that's called mesotherapy. It's a combination of vitamins, minerals, collagen, elasten, hyaluronic acid and we inject it into the areas to stimulate the hair cells.

SalonSpotter: So then, would that be the same way to treat alopecia areata? (a condition which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body)
Dr. Ee:well it depends of the cause of the areata. It could be a fungal growth, it could be bacteria, it could be poor circulation. We'd have to do an assessment to determine exactly. Once we figured out what the problem was, we could then use other therapies to heal that area.

SalonSpotter: So is estrogen the reason why women's hair thins out as they age?
Dr. Ee: As the estrogen levels go down, the woman's hair gets thinner but it's not just that, the skin changes because of estrogen levels. It is very dangerous just to give estrogen because unopposed estrogen without the proper progesterone can cause diseases such as uterine cancer and breast cancer so you have to be very careful by supplementation of any hormones.

SalonSpotter: Any specific vitamins people should know about to have healthier hair?
Dr. Ee: You need Vitamins A, C & E, Zinc, sellinium, silica, and of course hair massage for proper circulation. General multi vitamins are good and things to help circulation, such as fish oils. (For external use), Coconut butter and Shea butter. These are emollients so they keep the integrity of the cells much stronger. The Shea butter has a lot of vitamins that feed the cells as well.

SalonSpotter: Can dramatic hair loss act as a sign or symptom of illness for a woman?
Dr. Ee: Health is like a tree. The leaves of a tree are the symptoms, so we need to identify each one, it could be hair loss, it could be low energy, skin rashes etc., then we have to look beyond these 'leaves' and get to the root. If we can find the root, we can treat a whole section. Sometimes hair loss is just a symptom of what's going on inside.

Salonspotter: So then, as a hairdresser, it's really important for us to tell our clients if we notice dramatic hair changes on them.
Dr. Ee: Yes and have them talk with a medical doctor. It's good for them to work with both a naturopathic doctor and a medical doctor that way you can see the whole picture. When women come in and say they have hair loss, we tell them to go see a medical doctor to do blood work. We also do saliva testing to compare the results.

Dr. Ee owns a clinic called the Altmed Clinic located at 40 Wellesley Street East. The phone number to his clinic is
(416) 966-3733 and the website is:
www.altmedclinic.ca

Spotted: Salonspotter at Slice.ca (click here)

9/365: under cloud 9
Originally uploaded by It's Holly

Stressed over your curls? SalonSpotter gives advice over at Slice tv's style blog...
click on the title to take you there...

Spotted: PROM 2009!!

Well you guys sent them in and now I present to you what prom looks like in 2009!! Well done ladies!! Serena Van Der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf would be proud....but ladies, where is Chuck Bass? If I were there, I would have been a drunken Nelly Yuki professing my love for Lonely Boy Dan Humphries....Thank God I wasn't invited cause that could have been a hot mess....Good luck next year
xoxo
SalonSpotter

It's PROM time!!!

Kelly and Lesa (Prom - May 1978)
Originally uploaded by ckroberts61

Well, it's prom time again and this year girls are asking for soft waves and braids. Trust me when I tell you...here's how it's going to go down. In 20 years from now you're gonna look back at your prom photos and think to yourself that you looked like a hot mess no matter what, so I say go for it and be the hottest mess you can possibly be!! (Editor's note: I wore a cream linen suit reminiscent of something from a Boys 2 Men video and I bleached out my hair to a lovely hue of buttercup yellow...WTF?!!)
Instead of just doing natural waves like LC from the Hills, think more MK Olsen. Do your waves a little messier than perfect. Go for that ratty-beachy-high-fashion-messy kind of waves with some cool braids and I guarantee you'll be the belle of the ball!
Have fun and no matter what any boy says, he WON'T DIE if he doesn't do IT on Prom night!!!
ps, please send in your awful prom photos from years past and also photos from this years prom so we can post them!!!
xoxo
SalonSpotter

Celebrity Spotted: Leah Miller, Host of So You Think You Can Dance Canada and MOD

What's that saying...'only my hairdresser knows for sure'? Leah Miller, host of CTV's So You Think You Can Dance Canada sits in my chair as she prepares for next week's upcoming Toronto auditions and we go where no interview has ever gone before!!! From cupcakes to Bob Dylan, Stella McCartney to Ghost Whisperer, Leah reveals her faves. She's a busy bee juggling gigs for MuchMusic's MOD and SYTYCDC, so we decided to multi-task the Q&A whilst doing her hilites!

SalonSpotter: You chitchat with some of the world's biggest stars on Much On Demand. Who do you think (of those you have interviewed) have the best style?
Leah Miller: (after some moments of thought) well, Gwen Stefani, she has pretty cool style and she's almost forty which I think is amazing and she still looks good. She just has her own personal style which is cool. Fergie always looks cool, I guess they're kind of in the same catagory.

SalonSpotter: Now that you're the host of SYTYCDC you have become quite the Canadian fashion icon with all of your beautiful dresses and outfits. Who are some of your favourite designers?
Leah Miller: In my (day to day) life I like casual tshirts, I love Alexander Wangs tshirts. He has the best tshirts. They're really soft worn out cotton almost see-through because they're so thin but they're the most comfy tshirts, I actually wear those every day. I love Stella McCartney. My new favorite kind of jean is Current Elliot, they're worn in with rips in it. You can get them at Aritzia and Holts. I like really long dresses that are cozy. I also have a new pair of mocassins that I love.

SalonSpotter: Do you have any beauty secrets for our readers?
Leah Miller: Take care of your skin even if you're 18. It's one thing I always do. Moisturize. Cleansing properly and getting facials every once in a while. I have such sensitive skin so I use Dermalogica and I love it on my skin. Everyone's skin is different so you gotta find what works for your skin.

SalonSpotter: Let's get back to Music and Dance. Who are some of your favourite musicians and who are some of your favourite dancers?
Leah Miller: Favorite musician, Bob Dylan who just released a new cd this week, Neil Young. They write their own stuff and they've never really sold out, they're consistently good. I like Beyonce right now and Rihanna. I like really good pop music too. My favorite style of dance is Bob Fosse. It's slick. I love it.

SalonSpotter: What's your biggest indulgence?
Leah Miller: Food. I could talk about food for hours!! Whether it's steak and mash potatoes or cupcakes or chips and chocolate I could eat anything! I love french fries!!

SalonSpotter: What are you watching on tv these days?
Leah Miller: Everything as you know! Gossip Girl, 30 Rock, Sarah's Cottage, I was watching Dancing with the Stars, the Bachelor and I'll probably watch the Bachelorette, Dexter, True Blood, United States of Tara and Ghost Whisperer.

SalonSpotter: who does your hair?
Leah Miller: YOU!!! and Honoch Driori for the show.

SalonSpotter: Okay, speed round....Serena Van Der Woodsen or Blair Waldorff
Leah Miler: Blair

SalonSpotter: Zac Effron or Chase Crawford?
Leah Miller: Ooh, I don't know...I guess I'll say Zac Effron

SalonSpotter: Lady Gaga or Miley Cirus?
Leah Miller: (definitively) Miley Cirus

SalonSpotter: Ghost Whisperer or Gossip Girl?
Leah Miller: That's too hard. That's a tie!!!

SalonSpotter: Cheeseburger or Chocolate Cake?
Leah Miller: Cheeseburger

SalonSpotter: Marc Jacobs or Burberry?
Leah Miller: Burberry

Be sure to check out Leah at MuchMusic.com and CTV.ca

Freakin' good product of the day

Today's product is brought to you by Michael Crispel owner of Earth Salon. (see posting below) Michael swears by KMS California's Make over Spray. It's like a dry shampoo to create grip and hold as you round brush. The dry shampoo absorbs the oils and refreshes 2 day old hair! Sounds like something someone should recommend to Amy Winehouse on those rough days! This product is available at Earth Salon and other salons that carry KMS California.

SalonSpotted: Earth Salon (Toronto), www.earthsalon.ca

One of the hippest areas in downtown Toronto for salons is on Scollard Street just North of Yorkville Ave. A street mostly devoted to hair salons and art galleries, Scollard Street is where you want to go if you're looking for cool, trendy and comfortable hair 'studios'. On a beautiful sunny day we spotted the ultra artsy studio space known as Earth Salon. A very warm and welcoming salon/studio space, owner Michael Crispel is a Master educator for KMS California and his great wealth of knowledge about hair is one of the things I notice immediately when sitting with him. With 18 years of experience behind him, Michael wanted to create a very high end service with a heavy emphasis on training (his staff) all done in a very down to 'earth' way. In his research, Michael came to the conclusion that most people have the budget for a 'Yorkville' priced haircut, but feel as though perhaps they don't belong in a 'Yorkville' salon, thus giving birth to the salon known as 'Earth', a place where everyone is welcome. SalonSpotter had the chance to ask Mr. Crispel a few questions and this is what we came up with...

SalonSpotter: Who are your clients?
Michael Crispel: I created a new culture for everybody, we have a lot of Queen Street, we have a lot of moms, a lot of private school kids.

SalonSpotter: What style of hair does Earth do?
Michael Crispel: If we're doing funky, we finish it with an elegant timeless look, If we're doing commercial every day women, we like to put progressive techniques to very simplistic finishes. Definitely hard core precision cutting, very disciplined cutting with a lot of expression.

SalonSpotter: What do you use to cut hair?
Michael Crispel: We do majority straight blade. We do razor work and texturizing shears for customizing and finishing.

SalonSpotter: What do you specialize in?
Michael Crispel: Precision cutting. Progressive Hair.

SalonSpotter: Do you have any tips on Japanese straightening?
Michael Crispel: First of all, (make sure to do a) proper consultation. Make sure you work with someone who has a passion for doing it. It can go deadly wrong. Here, you must be certified by the company who provides the product. Then, we diagnose the hair. There's Japanese straightener for color treated hair, gentle, sensitive, so coming up with the right diagnostic is important.

SalonSpotter: What about touch ups with the Japanese Straightener?
Michael Crispel: It usually takes about 6 months (before we) do a touch up. At that point we have two solutions, we use the sensitive on the overlay (because it's been previously straightened), and then we use the intensive at the root area to re-apply. After 72 hours after the treatment is done, the client (who)cannot wet the hair must iron their hair twice a day to lock in and harden in the cuticle and the bonds of the hair. Once it's done it's permanently done. It's the closest thing that I've seen to a miracle to our industry. Also, the requirement is that the client must be using professional hair care products and not drug store products (prior to and after the service).

SalonSpotter: What type of extensions do you do here?
Michael Crispel: Bonding. We use protein bonds, hot fusion and clip on wefts.

SalonSpotter: What's on your iPod these days?
Michael Crispel: Propeller heads and Zootwoman. (Progressive, alternative, house)

SalonSpotter: Do you have any hair tips for our readers?
Michael Crispel: Don't wash your hair more than three times a week. No sleeping with ponytails if you have breakage or have high lift colour. All products should be applied from ends to root.

We highly recommend this salon to those who are looking for a hairdresser who really knows what he/she is doing and you're looking for a dramatic look that's well executed.

price: somewhere in the middle for the area. Prices are not raised based on ego or accolades!!!

parking: Whole Foods, Bay and Yorkville Parking, Avenue and Yorkville Parking, with new lots coming

Color line used: Goldwell

Location: 92 Scollard Street

Phone: 416-923-2784

Website: www.earthsalon.ca

Fitness Spotted: Erik Alstrup and he dishes the dirt on the truth behind working out, www.alstrupfitness.com

Pro trainer and Entrepreneur Erik Alstrup sat down with SalonSpotter to talk about the truths in physical fitness. The former Mr. Canada (who won the overall title in 1998) is not only an incredible body of work himself but is building his own brand of awareness for those of us who are trying to look our best.

When asked where the trend is these days with physical fitness, he states that "it's in functional trainning. It's about looking good and functioning well. In the 80's and 90's people were building muscle, trying to look buff and bulky, whereas today it's about dealing with injuries and incorporating yoga, pilates, as well as mind body connection". He continued explaining that the tried and true free weight resistance trainning will always be the fundamentals.

SalonSpotter: "Which celeb in your opinion has the greatest physical body?"
Erik Alstrup: "Madonna is in great shape. She's not 20. At 50 she's done a lot of things right in fitness regiment."

SalonSpotter: "What sets her apart from the rest?"
Erik Alstrup: "It's her desire and intention that sets her apart. Yes, she has money and she can afford to hire the best, but so can Oprah. Oprah has access to the same things but she isn't 100% congruent with everything, diet, exercise.."

Erik shares with us that we should have "realistic goals and set yourself up for success".

SalonSpotter: "Do you have any tips on how to find a good personal trainer?"
Erik Alstrup: "Find someone who can be honest and give you honest feedback. Work with someone who has worked with lots and lots of people and body types. Although anything is possible, set goals and check (off) those goals. Set a series of smaller goals to arrive at the ultimate. Ask a lot of questions and talk to previous clients if possible."

SalonSpotter: "Can you tell us the truths about what happens when someone decides to starve themselves in order to lose weight?"
Erik Alstrup: "Well, ultimately starving slows down your metabolism and doesn't allow your system to function in a healthy manner. It's like going out and buying a very expensive, really nice car and then using a few drops of gasoline and wonder why it's not working at it's highest level. The human body works in the same way."

Thanks Erik, I'm going to go eat a Big Mac now, the Porsche needs it!!!

Erik's website address is: www.alstrupfitness.com

secrets of a hairdresser....

shhh...
Originally uploaded by Gustty

How would you feel if your sister was actually your mother? Well, this was true for a client who found out his true identity in his early 20's. His 'sister' now 36, gave birth to him when she was a teenager and her parents kept him as their own little adopted secret to save face from a teenage pregnancy scandal. What do you do when mom and dad suddenly become Grandma and Grandpa?! lots of therapy!! Listen folks, I can't make this stuff up, it's your lives!!

SalonSpotter Teen

project 365: day 47
Originally uploaded by erin MC hammer

For all of you teens out there, here are SalonSpotter's "Top 5 tips to looking good".

1. Start thinking about a beauty regime now. Nothing major, things like, wash your hair every 2-3 days (depending on how oily your hair gets). This will help you with keeping your hair healthy yet clean. Wash your face daily and eat healthy cause that will help with great skin.

2. Think about what image you want to present to the world. If you dress like a skank, everyone's gonna treat you like one, so choose wisely!!! It's up to you but your image represents how you feel about yourself. Dress cool, it's okay to emulate your faves, but do it so that you're comfortable and others can see the real 'you' behind it.

3. Start thinking about getting your hair done professionally. Perhaps you can't afford expensive hair salons. Most hairdressers (of all price points) are able to re-duplicate pictures, so don't be afraid when you visit a local salon to bring pictures of your faves! (I usually bring a pic of Zac Effron or Ed Westwick, but I'm a total nerd!!)

4. Make sure you brush and floss regularly. Nothing is worse than a great hairstyle, amazing clothes but then a smile that makes them run for the hills!!! Take care of your teeth cause these days, they're an important part of your total look and general hygiene.

5. If you can't afford it. Improvise!!! Nowadays you have access to everything so find cheap deals where you can in order to save up for those big purchases!!! I like to go to H&M for my accessories which allows me to save up for a new iPod.

Spotted....on the street

In the Streets
Originally uploaded by Rodrigo Cayo (DREAM)

Watch out hipsters, yummy mummies, girls who got it goin' on and all of those who are on the cutting edge cause SalonSpotter might just stop you on the street in your city to find out where your fave hot spots are. Embarassed to go up to that amazing blonde in your local grocery store to find out where she gets her hair did, what she's listening to or where she shops. Leave that up to us....we'll do your dirty work!!!
xoxo
SalonSpotter

Salon Spotted: Salon Rococo (Toronto), www.salonrococo.com

Rocco Picheca and Serge Varone (3rd & 4th from the left) are the two minds behind Salon Rococo in the high end part of Toronto. Where Picheca is a great blend of business/technician, the latter is more Rock n Roll. A nice pairing for this second level comfortable salon nestled on one of the city's trendiest and upscale streets. Located at 81 Yorkville Ave., the name Rococo comes from the 18th Century time period as inspiration. Their approach to hair is also classic in interpretation. Rather than just throw-away, the pair agree that their technique is about being timeless and not over the top. They believe that a haircut should be something you can style yourself and the work should be left up to the stylist to give you a great cut that can hold its own. A Schwarzkopf hair colour salon, Salon Rococo prides itself on specializing in blondes and curly hair. All stylists who work in the salon are trained to do both cut and color and its their belief that the stylist should perform both. When asked what distinguishes this salon from the hundreds of others in the area, the response was simply "the clients appreciate that everyone here gets along, we're not snooty, we are a great team".

SalonSpotter: Do you have a tip for our readers?
Rocco Picheca: If it's taking more than 15 minutes to blowdry (your hair), it's not the right style for you. Who has that time? Another tip for people with long hair is to dry your hair until it's 95% dry before taking a round brush to it. When the hair is 95% dry, then you just go over the mid shaft to the ends (with a round brush).

Serge Varone: Here's a tip; velcro rollers. Wash your hair every other day or third day. Take thick 1"-1 1/2" sections, spray some setting spray, put in the velcro rollers and blow heat to every roller.

SalonSpotter: How much should you tip the shampoo girl/boy?
Salon Rococo: approx. $5

The folks at Salon Rococo do a lot of dry cutting, some precision cutting, texturizing and some wet cuts. It all depends on the hair type. Texturizing is always done on dry hair because they believe that you can't see the bulk until the hair is dry.

Parking: Green 'P' at Bay and Yorkville, besides the 4 Seasons Hotel and street parking after 6pm and weekends.

Price: Mid Range Price Point especially for area

Check out the lads at Salon Rococo if you're in the area. They'll be more than happy to welcome you into their home.

website: salonrococo.com

phone: 416-944-1060

Spotted: PROJECT RUNWAY CANADA WINNER....SUNNY FONG!!!!

fashion week
Originally uploaded by torontocitylife

One of the least surprising (but still thrilling) moments on Canadian television was the recent crowning of Sunny Fong as winner of Project Runway Canada Season 2. Since then, Sunny has become the hottest name to grace our country's fashion scene. His own company VAWK is expected to be the one to watch in Canadian fashion. The entire country has fallen in love with Fong and over the past few months audiences have watched him pump out creation after creation only to out-do the one before it. Recently, I managed to do a quick Q&A with Sunny and here's what happens when 2 reality show winners sat down to chit chat via Facebook!!!

SalonSpotter: Congratulations on winning Project Runway Canada Sunny! Are you enjoying your new found fame?!
Sunny Fong: It's been really crazy, didn't realize PRC was such a big deal. I guess I haven't been out much when I was working on the collection and now that it's ended, I managed to find time to go out. Really great but weird!

SalonSpotter: What's running through your mind these days when it comes to your clothing line Vawk? What direction are you going to be taking it?
Sunny Fong: Right now there's a lot of planning, I want to make sure that this time VAWK lasts, I love fashion and I want to take the right steps.

SalonSpotter: If I had a magic wand and could grant you a single wish, dead or alive, who would you love to dress?
Sunny Fong: Cate Blanchet

SalonSpotter: SalonSpotter is ultimately a hairdressing blog. In your opinion, what is the relationship between hair and fashion design? Also, how important is hair and make up to the total vision of your designs?
Sunny Fong: Well "the look" is always head to toe. Hair is like the accessories for you face and body and it has to be treated like anything you put on. If anything hair and make-up completes the look and for me, when I show a collection, I want to make sure the hair and make-up has the look and mood I want to communicate in my collection. A Complete Look. For my finale collection I wanted the models to be the female clones of me battling it on the runway. I thought it would be fun.

SalonSpotter: Who are some of your fashion icons?
Sunny Fong: Old Hollywood Starlets... like Marylin Monroe, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor to modern day stars like Cate Blanchet.

SalonSpotter: Do you have any style tips and/or fashion no-no's for our readers?
Sunny Fong: Sometimes less is more!

SalonSpotter: what's on your ipod these days?
Sunny Fong: Camille Jones is new for me - I used her track at the live runway Finale show. Lots of electronic music.

SalonSpotter: Besides fashion, what are some of your other passions?
Sunny Fong: I love design: graphic, interior and industrial. and food.

SalonSpotter: As artists, inspiration can come and whack us on the head without any warning! Can you describe your creative process?
Sunny Fong: I do a lot of research library, online, movies anything I see. when I design my garments, they start with a small sketch that maybe an 2' x 2' sketch. an the design seeds from that. Sometimes there is no sketch.

Sunny Fong's website is: VAWK.ca

freakin' good product of the day

Every curl is different and every curly hair'd person will find success with a product that suits them the best. If you haven't figured out your perfect curly hair fave yet, I would suggest trying the AG re-coil curl cream. This cream has some texture and tackiness to it if you like that kind of thing however isn't super duper sticky.

Available at Cosmetic world and other salons that carry AG products

secrets of a hairdresser....

Yoesar
Originally uploaded by said&done

When a client came in to tell me about how her now ex-husband would travel a lot on business, it came to me as no surprise that she began to suspect his infidelities. Too bad he asked her later if she would accept his cheating ways as well as the secret offspring that came from those infidelities. yikes! He spent most of his time acting like the perfect gentleman to the outside world, but deep inside he was a bit of an a-hole!!! Listen, I can't make this stuff up guys, these are your lives!!!


(and no that's not me in the picture!!!)

secrets of a hairdresser....

shhh
Originally uploaded by wheat_in_your_hair

A lot of clients are telling us that either they or someone very close to them is living a double life! Either the confidante is having a same sex affair that swaggers off from their regular lifestyle or they are having a full out affair behind their spouse's back!!! SCANDALOUS! While these stories are shocking, they are definitely not uncommon. I don't make these things up kiddies, these are your lives!!!

freakin' good product of the day

So here you go kiddies, today's freakin' good product is the bumble and bumble dry spray. If you remember when the tv show "thirtysomething" was relatable, then this might be a perfect fix for you. Perfect for when you're a week away from your next root touch up appointment and you have that 'skunk' stripe down your part. With a quick shot of this spray you can camouflage your grey hairs and get back to your busy day. This product comes in varying shades, so make sure you buy the tone that matches your hair in order for it to look natural.

Spotted: Skin care specialist, Martina Kocicka

Martina Kocicka is a skin care specialist in Toronto and she has agreed to answer a few questions about how to take care of your skin. If you have any other questions about skin, send them to us and we'll ask Martina to answer them.

SalonSpotter: What is microdermabrasion exactly?
Martina Kocicka: Microdermabrasion is a gentle way of exfoliating the dead cells from the skin surface. It can be compared to controlled “sanding” of the skin. Microdermabrasion will result in skin that is super smooth, it will improve pigmentation, age spots, fine lines, mild acne scars, and enlarged pores. Microdermabrasion is also an “anti-aging” treatment as it stimulates the growth of new collagen so skin appears thicker and firmer. A series of about 6 sessions will be most beneficial to treat a particular skin problem, however it can be done before a special event to give the skin that natural healthy glow.

SalonSpotter: What should our readers be doing to maintain healthy skin?
Martina Kocicka: Eat well, exercise, get good sleep, be happy, have regular skin treatments – not only to keep the skin in “shape” but to get some dose of relaxation – human touch does have a healing power. And find a product line that gives you the results you want. It takes more than just the occasional “facial” to maintain the beautiful healthy skin – you have to do your part at home between the treatments. In general there are three main categories of skin care. I. Over-the-counter products – found in the pharmacies and department stores. Active ingredients in those are at very low percentage and often you pay more for the brand name rather than effectiveness of the product. II. Products geared toward Day Spas – typically involved with aroma-therapeutic application and contain essential oils which provide relaxation benefits. These products are usually recommended mainly for preventative maintenance programs rather than corrective treatments. III. Cosmeceutical – sold by medical estheticians, skin care specialists, physicians and such. Formulations are strong enough to impact the lower layers of the skin and results are visible and faster.

SalonSpotter: How often should people be having facials or skin treatments in order to maintain healthy looking skin?
Martina Kocicka: Every 4 weeks in order to exfoliate the dead skin cells, stimulate new cell growth and collagen production. The skin will be smooth and glowing and your products will work better. In case of problem skin with acne, hyperpigmentation etc. is advised to have series of treatments every 2-3 weeks and then have maintenance treatments. The reason celebrities have great skin is because they “stay with the program”, often times getting facials once a week. So make sure you don’t wait until your skin gets bad, fix it and think it will stay like that forever. Skin is living organ and is changing, growing and reacting all the time…so it needs constant care.

SalonSpotter: Now that winter is over, what skin regiments should we be practicing for the spring/summer months?
Martina Kocicka: Use a broadspectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen and remember that it wears off so reapply every hour or so if you are out in the sun. Also, wear a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing to guard your skin against sun damage. Make sure your hand cream contains SPF. Aging of the hands is largely due to driving in the car. Those with sensitive skin can keep their skin products in the fridge. The constant heat can make skin appear red and irritated and cool products will not only feel refreshing but will also constrict the capillaries thus helping to reduce redness. With the heat and humidity, breakouts are a real concern for many people with oilier skin. When you notice cyst-like breakouts in the chin and jawline area, most often it is related to excessive dairy products in your diet. Try cutting down on cheese, milk, ice cream, and frozen yogurt, and watch your skin clear up!

SalonSpotter: Do you have any basic tips we should all be practicing?
Martina Kocicka: Cleanse well with appropriate cleanser - a lot of us under-cleanse and over-moisturize. Gently exfoliate. Use sunscreen every day – make it a habit. Studies show that 80% of the damage incurred is due to incidental exposure…when you walking to the car, driving etc.
Keep the skin routine simple and stick with it (pretty much the same as with diet and exercise).

SalonSpotter: Sun tanning.  Good or Bad? 
Martina Kocicka: Bad, bad, bad – a tan is the skin’s desperate attempt to protect itself from the sun’s harmful rays. They are the UVA and UVB rays and they both cause skin damage. UVA and UVB radiation comes from both sunlight and indoor tanning devices. If you want to look young, avoid the sun! No amount of sun exposure is damage-free. A little sun means a little damage, and a lot of sun means a lot of damage.

SalonSpotter: Which celebrities do you think have the best skin?
Martina Kocicka: I love the milky complexion of Scarlett Johanson and Nicole Kidman’s skins and the amazing glow of Hale Berry’s.

Martina Kocicka is located in Toronto at The Skin Clinic, 1699A Bayview Ave.,
call: (647)439-3806
web: www.theskinklinic.com

Spotted: Massage Therapist Marilyn O'Hara

One sure fire way NOT to look good is by being stressed out. It really doesn't look cute on anyone. Looking great is not only about what hair style you have, or what make up you use, looking great is about living a healthy and loving lifestyle. So we decided to interview the beautiful and non-stressed Massage Therapist Marilyn O'Hara so that we could de-mistify some things about Massage Therapy. Marilyn is a great massage therapist in Toronto at the Totum Life Science loated at King and Spadina.

SalonSpotter: Is massage therapy only for people who are athletes or are in pain?
Marilyn O'Hara: No, massage therapy is for everyone. It’s a great way to manage stress and it’s a proactive approach for people who have made the conscious effort to take better care of themselves.

SalonSpotter: What are some of the benefits of massage therapy?
Marilyn O'Hara: Massage therapy can help reduce or eliminate pain associated with an injury or condition. Massage can also help to:
Improve joint mobility
Improve circulation
Improve immune system function
Reduce depression or anxiety
Improve recovery time for injuries
Decrease labour times (pregnancy massage)

SalonSpotter: Am I supposed to get naked when I get a massage?
Marilyn O'Hara: That is a great question! No – you don’t have to get naked. I have heard this so many times from clients who want to have a massage, but, are not into “getting naked”. When you go in for your first massage, don’t be too shy to mention (being naked) to your massage therapist. The therapist will leave the room so you can get undressed. Unlike some of the ad’s that show a towel covering the model’s butt – our tables are outfitted with sheets and a blanket. Only the area that is being worked on, is uncovered. You can wear whatever you want, and we will adjust the massage accordingly. On the other hand, for some of you who like to wear nothing at all…that’s ok too!

SalonSpotter: How often in general should someone get a massage?
Marilyn O'Hara: I advise once a month for clients. For clients that want pain management for more serious conditions OR for clients that are training for an event (ie: running, triathlon, dragon boating), they might chose to come in more frequently depending on their what their needs are. For clients that have just had a baby, I offer housecalls, where I go every 2 weeks, to help get them through the first 2-3 months after having their baby/babies

You can contact Marilyn O'Hara at: Totum Life Science at their King/Spadina location from Tuesday to Friday. Phone: (416) 979-2449 or online: www.totum.ca
You can also reach Marilyn directly for pre and post natal housecalls. (416) 419 6009 or email at : mohara@rogers.com

freakin' good product of the day

Lakme's L2 Leave-in conditioner. This is a fantastic leave in spray to help comb out your hair and maintain moisture as well as add soft movement to the hair. After washing your hair, spray your hair with L2 spray and gently comb out your hair. Available at Cosmetic World and salons that carry Lakme products.

UPDATE Thanks to reader Andre, here are some salon locations in the Ontario region where you can find the Lakme L2 leave-in conditioner:
Salon Testerosa Yorkdale mall
Modern Touch Scarborough town centre 416-296-5350
Magnatude Hair Studio 1647 Kingston rd. 416-693-9355
02 FX 125 chrysler dr. Brampton ,ont. 905-791 -2900
Pro Cuts 211 Guelph st. George town Ont. 905-87-1846
Carr harris hair studio 102 Yorkville Ave. 416-920-8091

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freakin' good product of the day

Oribe is like one of the biggest names in hair. He's probably best known these days for working with La Lopez. It's his history of editorial work and collaborations with the biggest names in fashion that made him and the brand what it is today. Anyways, he has a product line and apparantly, it's like the hottest shit around. So say the team at Hair On The Avenue, the only place where you can get the luxury brand of hair products in Canada. (See posting below for location of HOTA). Oribe uses words like luxury, artistry and craftsmanship to describe this product line and for the price you're paying, that's what you expect to get. Without a doubt, this is a great product, however it may only be reserved for those of us not feeling the effects of a recession. If you're not in the Toronto area, you can call 1-888-ORIBE-99 or visit the Miami salon at 1627 Euclid Ave, in Miami Beach FL to pick up the products. fierceness!!

getting a facial

So I know a group of girls who know where to go for EVERYTHING. They're what I call my "Vogue Girls". Vogue Girls study (naturally) Vogue magazine from cover to cover and they know how to find the best 'people' for everything. My Vogue Girls referred me to go see Martina Kocicka 'skin care specialist' in Toronto a while back and well...now I'm hooked. Here's how Martina takes care of my skin...

1. She cleanses my skin which feels great.
2. Microdermabrasian. It's like a vaccuum with sand that circulates at the tip of the wand. Feels like a mini sand blaster that blasts off the dead skin....yummy!!!
3. Steam to prepare my face for the extractions.
4. The extractions. Okay so I call Martina an "Eastern European Drill Sergeant", but infact she's really good at doing these and is virtually pain free.
5. A light peel. She gives me a fan to keep the heat down and it feels really nice.
6. A clay mask for about 10 minutes.

Stay tuned to hear more from Martina at SalonSpotter. She will be answering questions for us regarding skin care.
xoxo
SalonSpotter

Spotted: TV personality, Andrea Bain

I first met TV Personality Andrea Bain on the set of the Canadian reality show Superstar Hair Challenge (think Shear Genius for our US readers). I thought wow this girl is beautiful and immediately ran up to her and introduced myself. Soon afterwards, I appeared on her show Three Takes. Now, the tables have turned once again and I get the chance to ask Andrea for some of her beauty secrets and how she stays looking so beautiful for a life on camera.

SalonSpotter: Who are your favourite style icons?
Andrea Bain: Iman, Naomi Campbell, Rihanna, Victoria Beckham & L’Wren Scott (Mick Jaggers wife/designer)

SalonSpotter: Can you share one beauty tip that you think every girl should know?
Andrea Bain: Every girl should know that heavy drinking and smoking will age your ass. But seriously, baby oil is a great moisturizer and it makes your legs look spectacular in the summer.

SalonSpotter: Who do you go to for your hair?
Andrea Bain: I have a couple of hairstylists Robert Samuels at Hair 2 Inc and Maria Bertram. Why two hairstylists you ask ? Cause I had an amazing hairstylist a few years ago and he decided one day that he wanted to follow his dreams of becoming a chef, which was great for him and sucked for me . So I decided two are better than one

SalonSpotter: What's one thing you always carry in your purse?
Andrea Bain: I always have Glysomed hand cream, carmex lip balm, my Gucci sunglasses and a small vile of perfume in my purse

SalonSpotter: What's important to you these days?
Andrea Bain: What’s important to me is my health. I watch what I eat and try to exercise as much as possible

SalonSpotter: Which celebrity has the best hair in your opinion?
Andrea Bain: Brooke Shields and Rihanna. Rihanna because she broke out of the ‘Long RnB weave’ look and chose an edgy short hairdo that makes her look amazing. Brooke Shields because every time I see her hair it looks healthy and gorgeous.

SalonSpotter: Do you have any tips on living a healthy life?
Andrea Bain: My tip on living a healthy life is everything in moderation.

Thanks Andrea!!
xoxo
SalonSpotter

Top 10 celebrities with 'hair influence'

Rob and Anna
Originally uploaded by maddix3

1) Whitney Port from "the city" (if any more of you girls come in asking for her hair I'm gonna lose it!)

2) Blake Lively from "Gossip Girl" (yes, Serena Van Der Woodsen has it all including amazing hair...and yes there must be some hair extensions in that mane!)

3) Robert Pattinson (pictured above but with a hat on...his hair has a ton of influence..so does his tongue)

4) the Olsen Twins (their ridiculous hair is all levels of fierceness)

5) Coco Rocha (supermodel with her latest shade of fabulousness "red")

6) Gwenyth Paltrow (un-yielding hair power)

7) Lady GaGa (you can love or hate that damn bow in her hair, but she's definitely got 'hair influence'. She is crazy avant garde and we like that)

8) SJP. (Her hair colour is ultra now. Dark roots and light ends should be forever).

9) Taylor Momsen (Little Jenny from Gossip Girl has a shagg that everyone's been asking for).

10) the Jonas Brothers. (Their hair not only sells millions of albums but it sets the hearts of teenage girls and scary pedophiles a flutter)

Satin Pillowcase!

Here's a great tip if you don't know it already...a satin pillowcase!! These super slippery luxurious linens help to avoid ruining a perfect hairdo! Where other types of pillowcases can grip and mess up the hair while sleeping, satin pillowcases infact help with breakage as well! If you're hair is hilited or processed, satin pillowcases avoid roughing up your ends that cause breakage while you dream at night.
Check out:
satinwonders.com
satincreations.ca

SalonSpotter Teen

MidnightGirls6
Originally uploaded by Laura Borges-Ribeiro

God knows I was an awkward teenager! I think one of my favorite memories was dancing to Like A Prayer in front of the entire school thinking "man everyone's going to LOVE this!!"...Sometimes it just feels so un-natural to be natural. At SalonSpotter we realize that being a teen can sometimes be a tad awkward and fitting in can be really hard. If you need a little help being yourself, here are some links to places where you can talk to people that can help you not feel so lonely.
xoxo
SalonSpotter

Kids Help Phone (Canada) 1-800-668-6868

Kids Helpline www.kidshelp.com (U.S.) 1-800-551-1800

The Trevor Project (for Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, transgendered youth) 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

Before and After

What a difference a blowdrier and round brush can make!

freakin' good product of the day

Today's Product is called Liss Control by L'Oreal Professionel. This product is great for blowdrying wavy hair smooth and straight. Use a dime sized amount and apply it evenly throughout your hair before drying. This product is available at salons that carry L'Oreal Professional.

Coming Soon...

Haircut with Grandaddy
Originally uploaded by waltersrp

Over the next few months we will be building a comprehensive list of your favourite hairdressers for your reading enjoyment. Is your hairdresser the best? Make sure you tell us who they are so that we can profile them here at SalonSpotter! Stay Tuned!!! They're coming!!!

SalonSpotter Man of Style

Ed Westwick (aka Chuck on Gossip Girl)
Originally uploaded by angela n.

Chuck Bass of course! Ed Westwick who plays bad boy Bass is our fav amongst the Gossip Girl crew. In fact, Chuck Bass is single handedly responsible for the return of the bow tie over the past few seasons. The character's style is Upper East Side chic but his behaviour is down right dirty! Take a few style pointers boys, Chuck Bass/Ed Westwick is the rage!

SalonSpotter music picks!

Lady GaGa
Originally uploaded by davidwhitewolf

Okay so I admit, I loved NSYNC, Martika, the Spice Girls and ABBA...so what?! Who Cares?!! lol...now, in the same way I loved all of those great pop acts of the past, I am not ashamed to admit that my newest fascination is Lady GaGa. She's going to be around forever!! (I thought the same for Aqua and Hanson, but I digress...) If you haven't already, check out her album "the Fame" and tell us if you think she has the lasting potential of Madonna, or is she doomed to be the next Samantha Fox! We love her for the fact that she's an image based musician and whether you like her or not, she's kinda popping up everywhere in the collective cultural psyche

Before and After

Just a fun before and after! What a sport!

the latest trend in working out

Check out the coolest and latest way to work out. It's called Powerplate. Basically, it's a vibrating machine where you position yourself in various postures and you resist the vibration in order to build strength. Apparantly, it was invented by these crazy Russian Astronaut dudes and now like all of the celebrities do it!! Move over Hot Yoga and Pilates, it's all about the Powerplate! There's a studio in Toronto called the Benti Institute and it's located at 79 St. Nicholas Street. Their phone number is 416-922-1300. If you don't live in Toronto, here are a few more locations:
-Core Fitness 12 E 86th St. NY,NY.
-Biotonic Power Plate South Beach 1517 Alton Rd, South Beach Miami
-Steve Jordan acceleration 10877 WIlshire Blvd, Los Angeles, (310) 208-5333
-Medine Institut 6100 du Boise, office 114, Montreal QC, (514) 739-7444

freakin' good product of the day

Fekkai Technician Color Care Shampoo. This is an amazing light weight shampoo that is great for you kiddies with coloured hair. The Fekkai line is amazing and this product stands out above the rest. We loooooove it! Apparantly, it's available at Shoppers Drug Mart in Toronto. In NYC you can go to the Frederic Fekkai Salon at 712 5th Ave. 4th Floor. Otherwise, you can find Fekkai products at Sephora in most major cities.

where to shop

One of my favourite places to go shopping for beauty supplies in Toronto is Cosmetic World. It's a family run business with head honcho Mrs. Moon (in her iconic white lab coat) running the show! The staff are friendly and definitely not pushy when it comes to selling. This store is great for buying shampoo, products, styling aids, accessories, curling irons, flat irons...EVERYTHING! It's located at 623 Yonge Street just south of Bloor on the East side. Check it out!!!

I smell like a Club Sandwhich but it was totally worth it!!

For years now, my co-worker Gina has always told me to use mayonnaise if I wanted to do an at-home treatment. I never believed her. Well, today, I sacrificed myself for all of you out there in order to find out whether or not Mayonnaise really is a good treatment for your hair. So here's how it went down.

Step 1. Buy any brand of mayonnaise. In this case you don't need to buy low fat! (yay)

Step 2. Apply the mayonnaise generously onto your hair. You may want to take sections if your hair is longer than mine, but it doesn't have to be an exact science.

Step 3. Turn on your iTunes and dance to Lady GaGa for 20 minutes with the Mayo in your hair. (You may want to place a plastic cap on your head if you so desire)

Step 4. Shampoo the hell out of your hair and do a light conditioner. (Surprisingly, the mayo isn't difficult to rinse out! I would however suggest using a well fragranced shampoo because you will smell like a cheap diner otherwise)

Step 5. Style your hair.

Really, in all honesty, I can tell that my hair feels better!!! It feels like it's actually been treated!! Try it at home, but just make sure you don't get mayo everywhere!!!

xoxo
SalonSpotter

freakin' good product of the day

Morocan Oil.
Enough Said.
This stuff is amazing and you should go out and get it right now if you don't already have it!!! This is going to be our generation's Final Net!!! Everyone should have it! Remember how everybody had to have a Toni perm? Well, replace curly afros with Jen Aniston and Morocan oil is your answer. It's what helps give shine and light weight movement to today's hair styles.

UPDATE Thanks to reader Nataline, we are happy to share with you that in Toronto you can get Morocan Oil at Cosmetic World and Delineation. Stay tuned for further updates and 'where to buy' locations!

Should I or Shouldn't I?!!!

If you're a blonde and your eyebrows look like Frieda Kahlo or Groucho Marx, you may want to consider ligtening them a touch. Of course, it's cool to have natural eyebrows these days, but if you do decide to lighten them, make sure you have your colorist do it for you. If you insist on using at home products like Jolene bleaching Cream, make sure you do not leave it on too long. Your eyebrows should still look natural. If your eyebrows are very dark, just remember that they may have a tendency to go brassy or reddish in tone.
xoxo
SalonSpotter

SalonSpotter Teen

SalonSpotter Teen is for the teen who wants to learn about and ask questions on beauty secrets. How often should I really wash my hair? How do I blowdry my hair? What's the difference between a flat iron and a curling iron? We'll take a look at the basics of beauty and help you understand your body and image from a healthy perspective. More importantly, it's important for us to realize that feeling good about who YOU are is really the best beauty secret around. Ask Miley, Zac or the Jonai and they'll tell you it's about believing in yourself rather than looking like what everyone else says is cool. Please feel free to ask any questions and we'll do our best to answer them all!!
xoxo
SalonSpotter

freakin' good product of the day

Here's the deal kiddies. How many bottles of shampoo and hairspray do you have that you bought while at the salon only to come back home and NEVER use them? Well, we're gonna feature products that seem to do a good job and you'll be able to tell us whether or not you agree with our choices. (Just as a side note, there is NO monetary or financial gain for us here at SalonSpotter for the products we review that way we can do an honest and fair guide to some freakin' good products!!)
Today's freakin' good product is Cloud 9 Mousse by Broccato. It's light and dense and really gives a ton of body to most hair types....and it comes in a pretty silver package!!
Cloud 9 mousse is available at Cosmetic World in Toronto.
In NY, you can visit the brand new Sam Brocato Salon at 42 Wooster St. in Soho, or call them at (212) 334-3777
xoxo
SalonSpotter

Twitting with Madge!!!

Well what an amazing way to kick things off here!! I'm so excited to share with y'all that I had the rare chance to Twitter with Madonna last night! In true SalonSpotter fashion, I told her that we all supported her and that she better make an awesome new album! As only Madge knows how, she playfully fired back "supporting me in every way?????????? -M". Of course we do!

It's no secret that Madonna is a hair and fashion Icon to all of us but she also represents so much of what we do here at SalonSpotter which is to share love and light with the world! All hail the Queen!!!! We LOOOOOVE us some Madonna!!! ps. how cool is Twitter? If you're not on it yet, get on it and then follow us at Salonspotter.

xoxo

SalonSpotter

SalonSpotter

Salonspotter is the place where a top hairdresser (ME) gets to meet cool sexy people (YOU) as they become his newest BFFs.  At Salonspotter (SS), in addition to dishing out all things hair related, we're gonna travel around and meet other hairdressers all over the world as we spot salons (hehe).  Of course what client/stylist relationship would be complete without giving advice on your deepest darkest secrets that no one knows about (especially your significant other)!!!  NO judgments here!! NO secrets!! NO topic too racy at this blog!!! Everything is confidential (so long as you don't sign your real name on it!) so share all of your problems and I'll give you my take on it.  No one else has more experience with advice than me!! (besides of course my own therapist?!!)

Also, if you have any pics of your really BAD hair days, send them in and we'll post them for the entire world to see!!! Got any bad pics from the 80's or 90's???? We wanna see them!!!! The badder, the better!!!

Like any good hairdresser, I will also keep you posted on my latest finds for music, fashion and other things hairdressers like to yammer on about!!! 

Stay tuned for much more to come...

xoxo

Salonspotter

This is salonspotter

hey y'all.  This is salonspotter. Welcome.