cultures blog

Flyaways? Try Moroccanoil Frizz Control

2011-11-18T09:48:00.001-08:00

"All over the world I hear women talking about bad hair days, often causedby frizz. The solution is easy when you have a product that works." -Moroccanoil Artistic Director Antonio Corral Calero

No type of hair; healthy or dry, curly or straight is immune to frizz.Humidity, over-processing and excessive brushing, combing or heat styling cancause the hair cuticle to open, giving tresses a rough surface. The only way toquiet frizz and return hair to its optimal health is to seal the cuticles.

Moroccanoil recently introduced a new product designed to balance hair moistureand tame frizz: Moroccanoil Frizz Control. According to Calero, "Itperfectly balances moisture, keeping hair smooth, calm and manageable. It'sunique, lightweight formulation comprising high-quality ingredients keeps hairfrizz-free, no matter what type of hair you have."

Creating styles like the one Calero did in this picture is simple. First, besure to wash and condition with moisturizing, frizz-taming products likeMoroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner (some other shampoos can beharsh and chemical-laden, which further dehydrates hair actually causingfrizz). Then, apply a small amount of Moroccanoil Treatment to clean,towel-dried hair. Blow-dry to remove excess moisture. Spray 3-5 pumps of FrizzControl approximately 10 inches from damp hair and comb through. Separate thehair into clean sections. Using a large round brush, blow-dry each sectionstraight, from roots to ends. This creates a bit of volume at the crown, liftthe top section and apply heat to the roots. For hair that will get noticed,part hair down the middle and finish with a few drops of Moroccanoil Treatmentfor added shine and protection.

Calero said, "Moroccanoil Frizz Control stands for simplicity. It's light,tames frizz, leaves no residue and you can see results right away."
Takenfrom Moroccanoil: Balancing Hair Moisture to Tame Frizz. Published inInStyle magazine, December 2011

INOA Supreme Anti-Aging Haircolor — Look As Young As You Feel

2011-11-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

Women of age are staying younger longer. Just look at EllenDeGeneres. In 2008 she received one of the year's biggest beauty contracts, and in her early 50's. The beautiful comedienne and talk show host is a prominent spokesmodel for CoverGirl's Simply Ageless Foundation. In 2009, Madonna launched a kids clothing line, opened a fitness center, starred in a Dolce & Gabbana ad campaign and began filming a drama. Modeling icon Lauren Hutton launched her own cosmetics line after returning to the modeling world at 46. Age has done everything but slow these women down. Don't let it slow YOU down!

With these women feeling so young on the inside, they want to look just as young on the outside. But many busy, modern-day women don't want too much time commitment and maintenance.

INOA has come up with a product line for women whose hair is aging faster thanthey are—INOA Supreme.

Just like your skin starts to age, so does your hair. As we age, our hair starts to go white because of the lack of pigmentation being produced. Age also causes your hair to become less dense, and more fragile, due to deprivation of melanin. White hair is less protected and weakens. Age can also make your scalp more sensitive with the reduction in sebaceous gland activity.

INOA Supreme covers 100% of white hair without sacrificing shine. Your hair fiber will not only be preserved,but redensified. In addition to giving your hair more strength and substance, INOA Supreme will also make it feel smooth to the touch. As with all INOA haircolor, INOA Supreme is odor-free and ammonia-free, giving you optimal comfort, especially on the scalp.

But what about maintenance? That's the best part of INOA Supreme. It can cover 100% of white hair, but it covers without a solid, harsh growout line. INOA Supreme is formulated to enhance your natural skin tones, and uses your non-pigmented hair to provide beautiful, blended, highs and lows in the haircolor. This gives a natural, luminescent look, with less-obvious growout.

Cultures is proud to be one of only a handful of salons certified to provide INOA haircolor in Utah. All of our stylists are INOA and INOA Supreme certified, and can help you look as young on the outside as you feel on the inside.

Balayage Haircolor in Utah

2011-10-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

What is Balayage:
The word “balayage” is French and means scanning or sweeping. In hair color,the term balayage refers to a technique of freehand painting or “sweeping” thebrush across the hair to create a natural highlight effect, rather than using foilsor caps. The balayage technique is not new, it has been done for years, but ithas become increasingly popular in our area recently because more celebrities are wearing this type of highlight.

Benefits for You:
Natural-Looking Effect
Balayage creates soft, sun-kissed highlights thatlook like you spent the summer frolicking on the beach.

Low Maintenance
Balayage highlights grow out naturally, without developinga noticeable and obvious re-growth.

On Trend
Balayage is popular and on trend, so you can stay current withouthaving too much commitment. The perfect thing about balayage is that it can beas classic or as trendy as you like. You can do a more subtle effect, or moreobvious effect. You can do balayage with natural colors, or with more extremefashion colors. The technique is current, but it can work with your ownpersonal style.

Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Balayage?
Highlights that are hand-painted onto the hair for a natural-looking,sun-kissed effect.

What is the difference between Balayage and foil highlights?
The biggest difference is the result. Foils offer a more uniform, definedhighlight. With Balayage, highlights are randomly placed for a morenatural-looking effect.

Will Balayage highlights damage my hair?
Not if your stylist is trained in the technique and using the correctproducts for the job. L’Oreal Professionnel lightening products are developedwith conditioning agents that leave your hair in great condition.

Balayage looks easy. Can I do it myself?
Although the technique looks very simple when you watch it being done, thereis actually a lot of skill and practice involved in mastering the technique.Controlling the amount of product used, where to place the product on thestrand, and how to section the hair to get the desired effect out of yourplacement are all things that only a trained Balayage stylist should do.

How much maintenance does Balayage require?
It varies by clients but many can go 3-4 months between appointments sincethere is no obvious regrowth with Balayage.

Is Balayage just for blondes?
No! Balayage is perfect for brunettes and redheads who want a subtle,sun-kissed effect.

Photos by L'Oreal Professionnel, Balayage Riviera Collection, 2011

We ♥ INOA

2011-10-14T15:07:00.000-07:00

What's the hubbub with INOA? I'm sure many of you have at least heardof this color by now. INOA permanent haircolor wasdeveloped by L’Oreal Professionnel and introduced in 2010. This color is revolutionarybecause there is no ammonia. What does that mean to you? This means there is nostrong odor, no tingling sensation at the scalp, and hair is left in better conditionthan when you came in. It protects the hair's natural lipids keeping them intact,which will keep your hair's natural sheen.

We have also noticed for our coarserhair clients, it has softened their hair texture making it easier for them tostyle. All salons or stylists that use orwant to use INOA have to be trained and certified. After using this color for more than a year, Ihave noticed that our INOA clients' hair has less fading; they come back withbeautiful color!

The main technology behind INOA is a new revolutionary oildelivery system that propels the colorants into the hair instead of traditionalpermanent color, where ammonia swells open the hair to allow the color topenetrate into the hair. What is in it for you? Soft, shiny, no odor, longlasting luxurious color.

What are you waiting for? Try it today!

Product Focus: Scalp Rescue

2011-05-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

Moroccanoil recently introduced 2 new products for the scalp. The products are made to condition and re-balance the scalp and eradicate scalp conditions such as overproduction of oil or excessive dryness.

Moroccanoil Oil-No-More Scalp Treatment
Helps soothe inflammation of the folicle
Regulates scalp imbalances

Moroccanoil Dry-No-More Scalp Treatment
Soothes dry scalp
Helps to relieve scalp irritation
Regulates scalp imbalances

What about people with dandruff? If you're sure you have dandruff (read this old blog post to see if you really do), you should use the Oil-No-More Scalp Treatment. If what you really have is dry scalp, well, I think you can guess which one to use.

Wedding Hair

2011-04-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

L'Oreal Professionnel collaborated with celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist, Eva Scrivo, on some insider tips to help you look the most radiant on your wedding day. These tips, taken from their publication, can help make your wedding hair perfect.

Prep Work is Key — Start early! Begin working with your stylist as soon as possible to perfect the cut, color and condition of your hair well before the day of your wedding. Keep in mind, it may take several months, so speak with your stylist about creating a customized plan.

Make the Cut — Even if you're growing your hair out, keep it regularly trimmed to remove the split ends that will otherwise damage the cuticle. You may have visions of fabulously flowing, Rapunzel-like locks, but if it's too long or unlayered, it can be bulky and unmanageable, making it harder for your stylist to create the style.

Lighten Up — Your hair will look best in photos if it has natural, subtle highlights. Think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Begin your color transformation well in advance of your wedding, and plan to have your last color service approximately 2 weeks before the big day. Do not plan any chemical treatments on the day of the wedding. This is no time for surprises!

Stay Healthy — Every bride looks better with shiny, healthy-looking hair. Get your hair in optimal condition with L'Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Powerdose treatments. Ask your stylist to develop a regimen based on your specific hair type and needs.

Stay True — Avoid one of the most common bridal mistakes. Don't lose your identity when selecting your hairstyle. Your style should flatter you and enhance your beauty, not become a distraction. Don't stray too far from your own look and style.

Let Your Gown Be Your Guide — Your hair should reflect the line of your dress. If you have a slim gown with clean lines and minimal beading, your hair should also have clean lines. If you're wearing a creation straight from a fairy tale, then by all means, Cinderella, go for long, flowing hair and lots of texture!

Book Ahead — Book your official hair trial 4-6 weeks prior to your wedding. Try to book your trial on a slower business day in the salon, such as a Tuesday or Wednesday, so you and your stylist won't feel rushed.

Show and Tell — Bring anything that will help your stylist understand the looks you love or the style of your wedding. Let your stylist know up front what looks you like and dislike. That way, they won't waste your time going down the wrong track. Don't forget to bring your headpiece or veil and your jewelry.

Let Your Hair Down — If you plan to make an outfit change for the reception, you may also consider adjusting your tresses and letting your locks loose. If this is the case, ensure you communicate this, so your stylist will know how firm your style needs to be. Keep in mind that not all hairsprays are created equal. Brushable sprays such as L'Oreal Professionnel Texture Expert Infinium are designed to have intense style memory without being too stiff, sticky or flakey to be brushed through.

Spring Trend Alert

2011-04-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

As the season unfolds, we will see more trends defined. Here are some things to look out for already:

Nails
We will start to see the dark color trend fade away a bit and see lighter colors taking over. We are also seeing more personalized colors. The big nail color companies are adding fun twists (shatters, glitters, and shimmers) which go on top of your base color to give you a signature look. Shatter was introduced by OPI earlier this year; it gives a crackle paint finish to your overall polish look. So fun!

Hair
We are seeing a spin back to the 70s; big and fluffy with lots of texture. Also, ponytails. Do they ever go out of style? We saw different versions of the ponytail on the runway - from super sleek, to pulled back with some pieces pulled loosely around face, to a ponytail with a middle part and then pulled back. Very fun!

Braids are still in the forefront in a huge way as well. We will see their influence more in the Boho type looks; they are super feminine and pretty. I'm so excited!

We have also been seeing either super short pixie cuts or long hair. One huge hair trendsetter, Jennifer Aniston, recently cut her long locks into a long bob. Basically, it looks like 'everything goes' this Spring with haircuts.

Color
For redheads, a multidimensional color will be trendsetting. Try an almost burgundy red near the root turning into a bright copper at the ends. Make sure the colors blend in seamlessly.

For brunettes, warm it up. Use lots of caramel and golden colors to warm up that dark base of yours and shed those winter blahs.

For blondes, we are still seeing the ombre technique (which is getting bigger locally as more people are getting brave enough to try it). This technique works really well with blondes to give them a California beach look. Think Drew Barrymore. She has those darker roots fading into a bright sunny blonde at the ends. Such a fun trend right now!

Makeup
Bright colors are still in. Oranges and pinks are the big thing. Also, stains and cremes are going to be huge for spring. Stains are highly pigmented and last for a long time. You can use these on the lips and cheeks. We have the Mirabella Lip & Cheek Ink and we love it, but you can find these stains in nearly every large makeup line right now. Play with them and have fun!

Why Massage?

2011-02-16T22:00:00.000-08:00

Many of our clients have never tried massage. Some are sure they would not like it; others have thought about it, but just haven't dared try it yet. Because there seems to be some mystery regarding massage, I'm going to try and put it all out in the open for you. If you have a question that isn't covered here, please email me.

Benefits
1. Stress and tensions are relieved. With the relief of tension and stress, you feel better able to cope with day-to-day situations.

2. Mental and physical fatigue is relieved, leaving renewed energy and ambition.

3. Pain in the shoulders, neck, and back (usually caused by strained muscles or irritated nerves) is relieved.

4. Muscles and joints become more supple. Soreness and stiffness are relieved.

5. Muscle soreness from overexertion can be reduced or prevented.

6. Circulation is improved, thus improving skin tone.

7. Digestion, assimilation, and elimination are often improved.

8. Facial massage tones the skin, helps prevent blemished skin, and softens fine lines. (Great plug for getting a facial!)

9. Headache and eyestrain are often relieved.

10. Deep relaxation is induced and insomnia relieved.

11. Muscular spasms are relieved.

12. Obesity and flabby muscles can be improved when combined with proper exercise and diet programs. (Our body wrap for cellulite also recommends getting massage in between treaments for the best results.)

13. Pain in joints, sprains, and poor circulation are relieved.

14. Increased circulation of nourishing blood to the skin and other parts of the body encourages healing.

15. Mental strain is reduced, resulting in better productivity.

16. Mildly high blood pressure is temporarily reduced.

17. Renewed sense of confidence and control is experienced.

18. Constrictions and adhesions can be reduced or prevented as traumatized muscle tissue heals.

19. Joint mobility is increased.

Taken from Milady's Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage by Mark F. Beck, 1999)

How Often
We typically recommend getting a massage once a month. Your therapist may recommend returning more or less frequently, depending on your needs.

What to Expect
When you arrive, you will fill out a card with some of your health history and preferences. After introductions, our therapist will talk to you about what you wrote on the card and ask about any problems you may be experiencing. The therapist will then tell you to undress to your level of comfort, and will leave the room so that you can undress, lie down on the massage table, and cover yourself with the sheets and blankets. Before re-entering the room, the therapist will knock to make sure that you are covered and ready.

What does "undress to your level of comfort" mean? It all depends on you. To get the most benefit from your massage, we recommend you undress all the way. You will be in-between two sheets and also covered with a blanket. At no time will the covers be completely removed. Instead, the therapist will uncover an area at a time to massage, leaving the sheets and blankets secured around the rest of your body.

If you prefer to wear underwear so you feel more safe, that is also perfectly fine. You will still be covered by the sheets and blankets. Some men prefer to wear compression shorts or sports shorts during a massage. Again, this is fine. We want you to be comfortable and will adapt the massage around the clothing you have on. If you don't want to remove any article of clothing, our ModMassage is a good choice for you.

We recommend you communicate with your therapist throughout your massage, as necessary. What could be good pressure at first in one area, might be too much or not enough in another area. If you have a really sore spot, or somewhere you carry a lot of tension, let the therapist know. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Massage therapists are full of knowledge and understand how your body functions. You can also get more benefit if you understand what the therapist is doing. However, don't feel like you need to chitchat. If the pressure is okay for you and you don't have any questions to ask, just relax and breathe. No other conversation is necessary.

When the massage is finished, the therapist will leave the room to allow you time to dress and gather your belongings. As you exit the therapy room, we will provide drinking water for you to take with you. The therapist may recommend some stretching exercises or a product for you to use at home. This is also a good time for you to ask any other questions you may have.

Payment & Gratuity
We generally settle your bill after your massage, but you can also pay before the massage if you prefer. Just let us know when you check in if you prefer to pay before your service. Gratuities are not obligatory, but you may leave a tip for your therapist if you desire. A standard tip is usually 10-20% of the regularly priced massage service. This can be paid directly to the therapist, or it can be paid at the desk when you pay for your massage service. Unlike some spas, we allow clients to tip in cash, on their credit/debit cards, or in a personal check. If your tip is left at the desk, we give 100% of the tip to your therapist at the end of the shift. We also give the therapist a tally sheet with client names, so they know that the tip was given by you.

Other Types of Massage
With Stone Massage, the therapist uses hot stones placed on the body, and as a massage tool. The heat helps loosen up the muscles quickly so the massage can be more beneficial. The heat is also comforting and relaxing; a little slice of heaven.

Chair Massage is a great way to loosen up tension in the neck, back and shoulders. With Chair Massage, you will sit in a special massage chair, face forward and fully clothed. The chair is made to give easier access to your neck, shoulders and back. This type of massage is generally done in quick 15 minute appointments.

Foot and Leg massage is a great way to get used to your therapist and relieve stress in your feet and legs. This is a good option for people who are on their feet a lot, or for those who want a quick session.

New Unite Hairspray Gives 3-in-1

2011-01-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

Unite just released a new hairspray that combines a light, medium, and firm hold hairspray all in one!

Previously, we used to tell people the more hairspray they used, the firmer the hold. But the Unite Go365 Hairspray is different. This hairspray actually has a dial on top that adjusts the amount of hold you need for your style. Genius!

This means you no longer need to have 2 or 3 different types of hairspray to make your hair fabulous. Unite Go365 Hairspray was the official Unite hairspray for fashion week, and was also featured in the styling station at Fender Music Lodge during Sundance. Go365 helped primp the celebs as they partied in Park City.

Holiday Bling

2010-12-08T00:10:00.000-08:00

Want to look as good as your tree? Here are a few tips to give you some holiday flair.

Gold is a huge color for the holidays. Use just a bit of it to accent some of the clothes you're already sportin'. A shiny necklace, bracelet, or a sequined tank underneath a cardigan, a comfy sweater or a jacket is a great way to add a little holiday shimmer.

Don't think that you are only limited to gold. Silver works just as well, but gold is THE thing for this season. Add a bit of shiny silver the same way without having to get a whole new wardrobe for Christmas. Although, that wouldn't be too bad, would it?

Add some shimmer to your face by getting a gold or silver sparkly eyeshadow to add just a splash of festive. There are also mineral-based finishing face powders that are great for the skin and have a touch of shimmer to give your skin a great glow. We use Mirabella's Pure Sun (which has a gold shimmer) and Illuminate (which has a bit of a silver shimmer). These are nice and light and are not glittery, but give a beautiful holiday glow.

Add a bit of sparkle to your fingernails, or use a bold color. OPI has some really, really fun colors for the season this year.

Use hair accessories. These are another big thing for the season. Headbands, clippies, barrettes, bows; There are all sorts of fun things to top you off. Make sure the accessory is in proportion with your hairstyle and length. For example, don't wear a huge peacock headband or ginormous flower if you have short hair. It looks precious on a baby, but that's about it. You don't have to spend a lot on hair accessories. I like to look around at the craft stores and find things that I think would be cute glued on a bobby pin or clippie. I have also purchased cheap dollar store headbands and found fun pins, etc. to put on those as well. This could be a fun craft project, for those of you with some spare time in December. ;)

A Word to the Wise: Although it seems obvious, I'd better say it anyway... Don't do all of these things at once. Just pick one or two. You don't want to look like a walking Christmas tree!

Happy Holidays!

Holidays Got You Down?

2010-12-04T01:00:00.000-08:00

Are you already feeling overwhelmed and stressed out about the holidays? Me too! It seems to come around way too quickly. Well, I'm here to help, hopefully. Today I'm going to help you cope a little better through this crazy yet fun season. Let's talk a little bit about the S word - STRESS.

When people believe the demands made of them exceed their ability to cope, they will experience stress.

Did you know that over a prolonged period of time, too much stress can lead to chronic headaches, high blood pressure, ulcers, heart disease and other health problems? In fact, some doctors believe that 90% of all illnesses are stress related.

There is no need for stress to affect your health in that way, especially during the holidays. What are some ways to destress? Here are a few pointers to get you through this demanding time of the year:

1: Get up 15 min. earlier. This can help with morning mishaps and also with the fact that you might need to unbury or scrape off your car.

2: Prepare for the morning the night before. Know what you are going to wear and what you will have for breakfast. This is much better than just skipping breakfast, a big problem we have in this culture.

3: Set appointments early. The holidays are busy for everyone. That includes salons, doctors, dentists, etc. Everyone wants to feel good (and look precious) for family gatherings, just like you! Looking at our own books, I would highly advise you make your holiday appointments ASAP so we can fit you all in. We want you to look good too!

Sidenote: Set your salon appointments right now while you're thinking about it.
Email: appointments(at)culturessalon.com
Text: 801.698.9603

4: Write things down. When there are a lot of things going on in our heads, we tend to forget the responsibilities we have more often. There are a ton of things to get done this time of year and we don't want you to forget Grma L's present!

5: Take advantage of off-hours shoppping. Avoid the crowds as much as you can to save yourself some time and stress. For us, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are great days to come.

6: Relax your standards. Know that everything is not going to run perfectly. When it does, it'll be a great surprise!

7: Establish a serene place of your own. For some it's the bathroom, because that's the only door that kids can't get into. For others it's their bedroom. Whatever it is, light some candles, turn off your phone, read a good book. I just started In the Dark Streets Shineth: A 1941 Christmas Eve Story by David McCullough. (For bookclub, hope it's good!)

8: Reward yourself after stressful activities. Stop for a special lunch with friends (only if they are friends that don't stress you out.) Get a pedicure, get your hair done - something that makes you feel better about yourself. I like to sit down with my good friend, Diet Coke.

9: Unwind before bedtime. Write things down that need to be done or that are worrying you so your busy mind won't keep you awake at night. Do some stretching exercises to get the kinks out. Read. Or, my personal favorite, listen to music. These things will help you sleep better and that is a huge stress reliever.

10: Get a massage. There are many benefits in getting a massage, but the best one of all is having that stress melt away. If you are worried about the whole clothes thing, there are plenty of options to try that don't involve undressing. A Chair Massage is a great way to start. They're short (usually 15 minutes) and you stay clothed. I like a Foot & Leg massage after a long day. I get to soak my feet in a warm bath and have just my feet and legs rubbed. It only takes 30 minutes. At Cultures, we also offer a complete, one-hour table massage called the ModMassage which doesn't require undressing. Come to think of it, I will follow up with another post that details all the health benefits of massage. In the meantime, you can check out our services menu for information about different massages.

11: Drink lots of water. It sounds lame, but it really does help flush out toxins that can develop even quicker while the body is under intense stress.

12: Exercise. Even if it's just walking a little more each day, get that body moving. Maybe volunteer to shovel the snow. I'm telling you, this is a great workout. ;)

I hope this helps give you a few ways to get through this hectic season but also be able to enjoy more of this wonderful time of year.

2 Ideas to Spice Up Your Holiday Haircolor

2010-11-19T17:00:00.000-08:00

Balayage: This is a highlighting technique from France that has grown more and more popular here in the past few years. Balayage creates completely different looking highlights than what we traditionally see. The highlighted pieces do not come straight out of the head, or straight out of the part. In fact, with Balayage, it's difficult to tell where the highlighted pieces originate. The Balayage technique is more of a creative, freehand painting by the stylist (sometimes even called hair painting) which allows them to place the color in their own freeform way, accentuating the great things you already have working for you. Think Jennifer Anniston's color. Actually, just about every magazine cover has a celebrity with this type of technique done on them. It makes the highlights look more natural and I think the overall color looks more beautiful, like how your hair looked when you were a kid.

Ombre Effect: Ombre is French for shaded. It is all the rage in fall fashion, and hair trends generally mimic fashion trends. In haircolor, ombre means that it is deep at the roots and gradually lightens up at the ends. This trend is very far from the highlight-coming-directly-out-of-your-head look that we have been so used to seeing. Want to check out some stars that have perfected this fun look? Look up some recent pictures of Sarah Jessica Parker, Lake Bell, and Shenae Grimes. This is a perfect transitional look going into fall/winter because it can give a "been at the beach all summer" feel. This technique is not just for blondes, but will be a huge trend for brunettes as well. Actually, I almost like it better on brunettes. It makes their color more interesting and daring. See Shenae's picture to get an idea of this.

Fall Trends

2010-10-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ombre
Have you heard the word ombre? If not, now you have. You may as well learn it, because you are going to see it all over the place as a trend for fall. It's a French word, an adjective, that means shaded or graduated in tone. It is used to describe colors that are, well, shaded or graduated in tone. In fashion and beauty, it can be applied to a shading technique in makeup, clothing, or hair. And it looks perfectly gorgeous when done correctly.

Lips
Bright red lips, or orange, or pink are in style for fall. I mean bright! If you want to try this technique, make your eye makeup subtle while you play up your lips. If you're nervous to go all out with the lipstick, try a bright lip gloss. It may be easier for you to pull off because it won't feel like a solid block of color.

Nails
In nail color, we are seeing several versions of blue-greens and teals and, yes, they are for the fingers, not just the toes! Nail art is making a comeback as well. Shorter, square(ish) nails are still in style. Creative Nail has started a great trend of layering nail polish to achieve different looks. So fun! Also, Shellac is going huge, huge, huge all over the world!

Plaid
In fashion, you have probably seen plaid. Lots and lots of plaid. Wouldn't that be cute on your toes? Just sayin.

Blowouts
Blowouts are all the rage in bigger cities. That is a service where you go to the salon for a shampoo and style only. There are even shops opening up that do just blowout services. I'm sure we will see this trend come to fruition in our local area a bit later, but how fun will that be? Look for those blowout services to be 'tweaked' on our menu soon.

There, I gave you a few more reasons to be excited for fall.

{Side Note: Apologies to Michelle, who actually gave you these new ideas to be excited for fall back in, uhmm, July or August. I just barely got around to posting them. Now hurry and take her advice, before all of your friends do!}

Heaven!

2010-09-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

We just added a new service to our massage menu and can I say... Heaven?! I think I already did. I just happened to be the very first one to try our revamped 30 Minute Foot and Leg Massage (with warm foot bath). Aren't I lucky? I got to soak in our portable foot tub with a delicious eucalyptus soak. I then got a fabulous massage on my feet and legs from our wonderful massage therapist, Clay. He used a mint foot lotion that makes your feet and legs feel energized. He did a great job and it left me rather useless for the remainder of the day. Jealous? ;)

Trust is the Basis of Any Relationship

2010-09-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

This may seem like a long rant from a crazy stylist, but stick with me. I think you'll see how I'm trying to help you here. Yes you, you know who you are.

The past couple months, I've had the opportunity to fix some pretty bad haircuts (and color services) for new clients. As I consult with them and try to understand what went wrong at their previous salon, it gives me an opportunity to analyze the stylist/client communication process and to figure out how the, uhmm, whole mess happened in the first place.

Well, I've figured out what happened to some of you. (Not all, but some.) And I'm here to tell it to you straight. Here it is...

You are your hair's worst enemy. Really, you are.

I understand it's scary to trust someone with your hair. I understand that people have bad experiences. I understand that some stylists out there are not as trained or educated as they should be. Believe me, I know these things. I also understand that your previous bad experiences can make you leery, nervous, obsessive. I get that. Really, I do.

At some point, however, you have to relinquish control. You have no choice. You have not been trained. And even if you kinda have, you can't cut your own hair. Believe me, if you could, I would.

Sadly, from what I have seen in my zillion years of experience as a stylist, and an instructor, and a salon consulatant, my professional opinion is this....

Often, your technical and specific instructions to the stylist are what's ruining your hair.

Countless customers come with information that hinders their situation more than it helps. This is even more true when you pass that information on (usually in the form of specific rules or directions) to a young or inexperienced stylist. This is the worst combination. You with your zero cutting and color knowledge, giving specific directions to someone with only a tiny handful of knowledge and even less confidence to tell you that what you're saying won't work. What usually happens is that these stylists follow your instructions, exactly. And you end up with a mess.

Generally, we don't need to know what tube or number or brand or type of color you think we should use, what perm we should use, how many inches long each of your layers should be, or what angle to hold our scissors when we cut certain parts of your hair. We also don't need to know which of our tools we should use to cut your hair.

We just need to know what you want your end result to be.

What we're really trying to figure out by talking to you is what you like and don't like about your hair, and how you want it to look. If you start throwing out what you think should be done to achieve that end result, you are putting your hair in serious jeopardy. You are second guessing what your stylist has decided to do to get the best result, and it makes them second guess themselves. Then, instead of doing what they've been taught to do, they go with what you told them to do. And then neither one of you is happy. It sounds crazy, but I'm telling you that I've seen it happen. Many stylists will just do what you ask, even if they don't have a clue why.

How can you end up with what you really want? First off, ask for a referral from someone whose hair you like. The majority of my clients first came to me by recommendation from another client. Many of them saw one of my clients at the gym, or a grocery store, and just asked them who does their hair.

Next, make sure the stylist consults with you before they start doing your hair. As you talk, you will get a feel for how the stylist works, and if they're listening to what you're saying. Sometimes figuring out this communication perfectly will take you a couple tries, but you should know very quickly whether they care to understand you or not.

Use pictures if you have them, but don't forget to ask if the style you are describing will work with your hair, and your lifestyle. When doing color, make sure that what you're asking for will not significantly compromise the integrity of your hair, or ask if it can be better achieved over time instead of in one appointment.

If you're unsure of the stylist, start with something simple. Just get a trim, or a style. This will give you time to talk about what you would really like to do in the future, and to ask lots of questions.

Have questions that you don't want to ask your stylist, or something else you want to share? Please feel free to comment on this post, or email me at: michelle(at)culturessalon.com and I will respond to you directly.

8 Things You Didn't Know About Moroccanoil Products

2010-09-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

Most of you know about their signature oil product called Moroccanoil, but here are a few things that you may not know about the rest of their product line...

The hairspray is progessive. The more you use, the stronger the hold.

The hairspray can be used with heat (before curling iron, flat iron, blow dryer) and is similar to Infinium (where you don't really feel it in the hair).

The shimmer spray adds shine, but it is also a UV protectant for the hair.

Spray the shimmer spray on your hair before swimming and it will protect your hair from chlorine. No turning your blondes green with this product!

The shimmer spray can be sprayed on the body to brighten up dull-looking tattoos. Random I know, but we've tried it and it really works.

We can mix the oil with your color service before applying it to the hair. It doesn't affect the outcome of your color, but it protects the hair and keeps it in even better condition ($5 add-on).

The shampoo and conditioner are free of sulfates, which is great for keeping your color service looking fresh.

Moroccanoil makes 2 deep conditioning treatments that target specific needs; One for adding strength and one for adding moisture.

Product Spotlight - Instant Wrinkle Eraser

2010-07-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

It's like botox on a budget! (I'm not kidding either.)

We have stumbled onto an incredible new product. It's called Gone in 60 Seconds Instant Wrinkle Eraser. This product activates on contact to visibly erase fine lines and deep wrinkles instantly. It also firms and reduces puffiness all day long.

Click HERE to see a video showing how the product works.

If you want to give it a try, come in and we will do a free demo on you. We think you'll be happy with the results. I am!

Regular retail price is $29.95. Our featured price is only $19.95, and we have the product in stock.

Tan me!

2010-06-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

Sadly, I don't get a nice bronze tan in the summer as I am inside seemingly 24/7. I get to see outside, which is great, but my pasty white skin is a dead giveaway that I'm not actually outside as much as I'd like to be. Well, not any more!

Hempz has come out with a fabulous new self tanning lotion. It's actually a moisturizing lotion, that has gradual self-tanners in it. So it looks natural, never streaky, and it's not orange. When used over time, it gives the skin a nice, healthy, bronze glow.

I love it. Just sayin.

Color Correction? Not So Fast!

2010-06-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

You went from blonde to brown to red to black, and now you want to go back to blonde again? Can't you just put on a blonde color and waalaa...beautiful bombshell blonde?

Not so fast! Sadly, color doesn't work that way.

If you are that dark of a color and you want to still have hair when you're done, going back to blonde will be a lengthy process.

We recommend (and so do all of the top celebrity colorists in the world) that you do so very gradually. That means that you should be a dark brown with some medium to light brown highlights for a few months. Then, maybe a few more highlights put in for more of a medium brown. Wear that for a few months. Then, a few more to become dark blonde, etc, etc. When we do it in stages, you can have a beautiful, natural-looking color at every stage of reversal.

The reason it needs to be gradual is because everything you did on your hair has to be undone. If you try to do it all in one appointment, 1.) you wouldn't have hair. Your hair is not strong enough to withstand all of those processes. It will break off. If you do it gradually, you will give the hair time to rest and recover in between each process. 2.) We have no idea what has been put on your hair. This means it is a guessing game for how your hair will react until we dig in. 3.) Red is the hardest color to get out of the hair, especially an unnatural red color. 4.) Refer to number 1.

We care about your hair. We want you to be happy with the results, but we also want you to have healthy shiny hair. I guess what I'm saying is be patient, it can be done, but not as fast as you were hoping. Good hair is a choice. Make the right one!

Spring Hair Show

2010-06-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

It finally came! And now, I'm finally writing about it.

Our staff went to the Peerless Beauty Supply Spring Hair & Nail Show at the beginning of May and had a great time. You can see pictures from some of the classes on our flickr page.

What's in and new you ask? I'm so glad you did!

A lot of the spring trends in hair this year are more geometric shapes, and more blunt cuts (but still blended in). Beatles inspired cuts are in fashion as well; Think Dorothy Hamill with a twist. Blunt, full bangs are still traipsing around and lots of really cute disconnected cuts. Disconnected means that it almost looks like two different haircuts are going on at the same time, and not really blended together.

We also saw hidden things in haircuts. For instance, if you part your hair on one side, you can have bangs; Flip it over to the other side, and you don't have any bangs at all. What a great way to switch things up and keep you from getting bored.

Color is very fun and bold. You can get great multi-dimensional looks without a million foils in the head. Bright colors were all the rage and actually looked very flattering and tasteful. Picture a bright red with even brighter red panels. So cute!

We also attended classes by several great artists. We really enjoyed Greg Hinshaw from Sun Valley, Ben Mollin who appeared in the debut season of "Shear Genius," Damien Carney, Award-winning colorist Sue Pemberton, William Whatley from the show "Ambush Makeover," Michael Haase, and many many more influential stylists who were willing to teach us a thing or two about the industry.

Creative Nail (CND) also launched a new product called Shellac that we have been pretty hyped about. It's a nail polish that lasts two weeks (on your hands), dries in minutes, and doesn't have to be filed off. It protects and strengthens your natural nails, and it looks fabulous! It can also be used on the toes for super-shiny, long-lasting color.

We learned lots of other things that would probably bore you all to tears, so we will spare you the details and just let you know that we are excited. If you're bored with your style right now, I bet we have a few solutions for you. ;)

Shellac

2010-05-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

We are soooooo excited!
(Was that enough o's to demonstrate how excited we are?)

One of the great things introduced at the Peerless Spring Hair Show was from Creative Nail Design. It is called Shellac. You've probably seen it in nearly every beauty magazine or heard the talk online. This is a nail polish that cures under the UV lamp. The first of it's kind. And it's crazy popular.

Why is this so great? Because you can get your pedicure or manicure, then get your nails polished, and then leave with them completely dry and looking fabulously shiny. Best of all, it lasts! Shellac wears for 14 days on the hands and over a month on the feet, and still looks shiny and freshly polished. Previously, you could only get that kind of wearability by having artificial nails, which can feel bulky and require a lot of maintenance. Shellac feels just like a regular nail polish, but it's ultra shiny and made to last. When it's time to change polish, Shellac can be easily removed with 10 minutes of soaking - no drilling, filing, or damage to your natural nails!

Love having polished nails on your hands but your polish chips in like a day? Get Shellac and you will look great for 2 weeks. Come try it!

Shellac alone is $30
With a manicure or pedicure, it is only $15
Want more info? Check out this video from CND:

Summer Prep Time

2010-05-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Now is the perfect time to start waxing for the up and coming summer months. Get ready now for all those summer shorts and days spent in the dreaded swimsuit. At least there is one thing you won't have to worry about... If you start a waxing program now, it will dramatically slow down the growth process, so you will have less maintenance in the summer.

It takes a few times of waxing to catch up to all cycles of hairgrowth, which is why it is best to start your program early. A great way to judge if your hair is long enough to wax is to pull out a strand with tweezers. If the hair underneath that you just pulled out is as long as the hair on the outside surface, then it is ready to wax. In general, it usually takes about a weeks worth of growth to have enough to wax. Waxing slows down the growth process, it thins the hair out, and it can lighten up the color and texture of the hair. Now is also the perfect time to start because it is still chilly, so no wearing those precious shorts or capris just yet!

If you don't want to go the route of waxing, bettybeauty has just come out with the readybetty hair removal product that is safe to use in those very sensitive areas (bikini) and works much better and lasts longer than those other hair removal products. And, you can do this in the privacy of your own shower. (The kit also comes with stencils, if you become daring and adventurous!)

Mother's Day

2010-05-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

Want a good gift idea for the mother(s) in your life?

I think my all time favorite and original gift idea would be to get her a subscription to our Pedicure of the Month Club.

She can relax with all of the different scents we introduce each month. Some of our recent spa pedicures have included Cupcake, Lemonade, Ruby Red Grapefruit, and Blueberry Muffin.

What better way to "make" her take some much needed time out? We all know mom won't usually spend the money on herself. Offer to watch the kids for her and she will be ecstatic!

What if your mom doesn't live close? We have a Pedicure of the Month Club by Mail too! Every month she'll receive a personal pedicure in the mail, including instructions, tips, and all of the supplies she needs to pamper herself at home. The kits are also handy for taking to her favorite pedi place. They can do the work, and she can still relax with our delicious featured scents.

A Flat Iron that REPAIRS the Hair?

2010-04-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

Crazy, but it's absolutely true!

Joico has just come out with a revolutionary flat iron that reconstructs as you style. It is called the K-pak ReconstRx VaporIron.

For the first time ever, you don't have to choose between the style you want and the healthy hair you deserve. By infusing hair with ReconstRx VaporFuel, the ReconsRx VaporIron delivers all the healthy benefits of K-Pak (the world's #1 hair reconstructor) as you style, leaving hair unbelievably shiny, smooth and healthy.

VaporIron:

Decreases hair breakage by over 40%; Reduces color loss due to daily thermal styling by 33.3%; Minimizes curl reversion, even after 12 hours in 90% humidity.

VaporFuel:

Reconstructs and protects hair from the cuticle (outer layer of hair) to the cortex (inside part of the hair); Antioxidants protect hair against damaging free radicals; Essential fatty acids restore shine, flexibility, and manageability while balancing moisture levels; Botanical moisturizers replenish moisture and enhance softness; Featherweight silicones lock in moisture and seal cuticle to eliminate frizz and deliver intense shine and smoothness to the hair

The best news of all? We have them in stock!
Beauty Supply Price: $198
Cultures Price: $150

The pre-packed kit includes (1) ReconstRx VaporIron, (1) VaporFuel, and an Instructional Styling DVD by Damien Carney, Joico International Artistic Director.

(Don't live close? We can ship them to you when you pay by credit card, PayPal, or check. Additional $12.95 shipping charge applies.)

Testing...

2010-04-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce that we have become a Test Salon for L'Oreal Professionnel!

What does that mean? Well, since you asked...

That means that we test shampoos, conditioners, and hair products that they are developing and give our feedback about those particular products to the L'Oreal Professionnel research team.

This is a great opportunity for our salon and keeps us on the cutting edge of what is developing in the industry. We get to preview these new technologies and let the company know whether we think it is a good fit for our customers. What a way to be in touch with your consumers by using test salons from around the country! We are honored to be chosen as one of the select few.

Recently, we gave our feedback on part of their eco-friendly line. Right now, we are testing a new product category. We are really excited about the results and we hope this one makes it through to launch so we can tell you all about it. ;)

New Product: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray

2010-04-13T14:47:00.000-07:00

It's here! Moroccanoil has come out with another great product: Moroccanoil Luminous
Hairspray.

It is soft to the touch, reflective to the eye, and controlling to the hair. It is infused with argan oil, it offers a long lasting natural hold without the stickiness of buildup, and it leaves a veil of luminous shine. What more could you ask for from a hairspray? If you love all the Moroccanoil products like we do, you know you have nothing to lose.

Wanted: Longer Eyelashes

2010-03-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

Last year, I wrote a blog about Mirabella's Lash Therapy Conditioner, which is a great product. Not too long after that original post, we started selling an eyelash growth stimulator called LiLash (previously known by the name RenewLash). The two products, although completely different, can both make the lashes longer. Since then, many people have asked me to explain the difference between the two, so this blog post is for those people (and anyone else who wants beautiful lashes).

If you don't care to understand the difference, but just want to know if these products can really help you have long, gorgeous eyelashes, the answer is yes. Definitely yes. They are awesome. I love both products and have tested them both myself, which is why we sell them in our salon and at our online store. We believe in them.

And here's little more information for the rest of you...

Mirabella Lash Therapy Conditioner: It conditions the eyelashes so they don't become dry and brittle, which means they don't break off as easily, which means that they can grow longer naturally. It works much the same way that regular conditioner does on your hair. You apply the product directly to the lashes. This product will help your lashes grow to their longest, natural length. This is the first lash product that I used and I definitely noticed a difference in my lashes. They looked longer and fuller. It also helped me grow in the stubby lashes that I have always had on one side of my eyes. The Mirabella Lash Conditioner worked it's magic for me.

LiLash/RenewLash: This is an eyelash growth stimulator, which means that it stimulates the hair folicle to make the lashes grow longer than they naturally would on their own. It can also give a kick in the pants to some of the folicles that have stopped or slowed down their growth. You don't need a prescription to purchase it, and it's completely safe to use, with no side effects. This product is applied similar to eyeliner, as the purpose is to cover the skin where the lash grows, not the lash itself. I love this product and personally swear by it. In fact, someone recently told me that I have ridiculously long eyelashes now. I have never, ever had anyone say that to me before!

I could tell a difference in my own lashes within a week, but I probably notice those details a little more than someone else might because of my work. We recommend that you apply either product at bedtime, after washing off your makeup. Use every day for 60 days to get the most noticeable results. After that, you can adjust the use to every other day or every few days as needed to maintain your own lashes. Now that my lashes are longer, I alternate my LiLash with Mirabella's Eyelash Conditioner to keep them both long and strong.

Both products are perfect for people who don't want the expense and upkeep of eyelash extensions. Also, for those who have had extensions which broke off or ruined your natural lashes, these will help you get your lashes back in great shape. If you have any questions about these products, drop us a line: info(at)culturessalon.com.

To purchase either product, click these links to our online store for LiLash (formerly RenewLash) and Lash Therapy Conditioner.

Oh, and PS: Both products last a really long time. Totally worth the money spent.

Spring!

2010-03-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

So many fun things to share about what is up and coming for Spring...

Our new OPI Spring/Summer nail polish collection "Hong Kong" is here. Come see what colors are in for this season. They are oh so cute! I'm not sure if you have noticed lately, but short polished nails are THE thing. Short nails used to be done only with dark colors, but now we are seeing people sport more and more bright, fun colors! We have the entire collection and you can pick up one or two of your favorites while you're here.

Hairstyles are fun this season. We see lots of braids still. The one we like best is pulled off to the side and loosely braided. If some pieces fall out, it is ok; it just perfects the look even more. We also see loose pigtails. When they're not so perfectly polished, they look less girly and more chic. Also, more wavy texture is in style. I guess we don't need to have every hair in place and sprayed to perfection. What a relief!

Special occasion styles, however, are more polished and styled. Try waves like Kate Winslet's at the Oscars. For special occasions, if you want to wear your hair straight, make a really clean parting with the tail end of your comb and smooth down frizziness with a wax, pomade, shine spray, or shine serum. See Sandra Bullock's hair at the Oscars for an example of this style.

Didn't get a chance to see any of the Spring trends in color during Fashion Week last fall? Click this link to see the most popular colors predicted for this season in beauty and fashion.

We are excited to see what else is coming up in the next few months and will keep you posted as we will be attending our spring classes and hair shows soon.

Quick Tip: Think You Have Dandruff? Think Again.

2010-02-25T14:28:00.000-08:00

This is a topic many people are confused about, so I think it's about time we addressed it in our blog.

1. A lot of people (especially guys) think they have Dandruff.

2. In reality, what they really have is called Dry Scalp.

3. Dandruff and Dry Scalp are not the same thing.

How can you tell what you have? If your flakes are white, you have dry scalp. Dandruff is typically associated with oily scalps and the flakes are more yellowish in color.

If you have a dry scalp, white flakes, or just feel itchy, don't use dandruff shampoo. You don't need it. All you need to do is use a good, salon-quality, moisturizing shampoo. It will make all the difference in the world. You can shampoo with it daily; I tell clients to make sure they use their fingers and cleanse all the way to the scalp (not just on the hair strands).

For those of you that really do have dandruff, I recommend Exfoliating Dandruff Shampoo from Therapro, or Purete Anti-Dandruff Shampoo from Homme (L'Oreal Professionnel's line for men). You will be flake free in no time.

{Wish you had a shampoo that would be perfect for you? Email us at: info(at)culturessalon.com or stop by our salon and we can recommend something made just for you. We carry professional shampoos made for every scalp and hair type.}

Quick Tip: Got a bad case of the flyaways?

2010-02-16T10:30:00.000-08:00

We are seeing A LOT of static coming into the salon lately. Ever wonder what causes it? Simply put: If you have static, you are lacking moisture.

Static in the hair is very common in the winter months because it is dry and the cold air makes it even more so. In addition, taking hats and scarfs on and off can cause some serious static in your tresses.

How can it be fixed? Moisture.

Most often the culprit is the wrong kind of shampoo. Look for a professional (salon) shampoo that will add the moisture you need, and avoid shampoos that strip the hair of natural moisture and oils. I recommend Serie Expert's Intense Repair Shampoo. It is the best around! Having a great moisturizing conditioner can also help, but only if the shampoo isn't working against what the conditioner is trying to do. So, I always recommend that my clients start with a good shampoo first.

If you really don't want to part with your shampoo, a quick fix to temporarily alleviate the problem is to spray some shine spray and work it through the hair. This will reduce static in the moment, but will not solve the problem for good.

February Package Deals

2010-02-13T08:55:00.001-08:00

{These package deals have ended, but check our blog, Twitter, or Facebook page periodically to learn about current specials.}

If you haven't seen these package deals already, you're probably not on our email list. Want to know about the specials (and last minute discounted appointments) before everyone else? Send your current email address to info@culturessalon.com. We don't share our list with anyone else, and we try not to bombard our clients with emails. You'll only hear from us when we have something important to share with you!

$59 Spa Package
Includes Spa Pedicure, Spa Manicure

$79 Spa Package
Includes Spa Pedicure, Spa Manicure, and Haircut & Style

$89 Spa Package (over $20 savings!)
Includes Spa Pedicure, Spa Manicure, and choice of a European Facial or One Hour Massage

These packages are a limited time offer and must be purchased by March 2, 2010. If you are not able to schedule your appointment before March 2nd, you can purchase the package on a gift card and schedule at your convenience.

Valentines Day

2010-02-02T12:00:00.000-08:00

Need some ideas? We have some great ones.

Cake Bites: We are excited to offer The Sweet Tooth Fairy's popular cake bites. These delicious treats have been featured on Rachael Ray, in Salt Lake Magazine, and pretty much everywhere else. We had them here in December and people went crazy over them. So, we're bringing them back for Valentines Day.

This time, you can pre-order some to give to your valentine. They come boxed in a Sweet Tooth Fairy logo box, tied with a pretty ribbon. $6.00 for a half dozen, $11.00 for a dozen. We love the double fudge cake bites, but you can also order the box of assorted cake bites.

Pick up here at Cultures between February 9th - 13th. To guarantee we save some for you, please pre-order before Monday, February 8th by emailing us at info@culturessalon.com or calling (801) 776-9229. Please include your name, phone number, the size box you want, and if you want double fudge or assorted cake bites.

Gift Cards: Try giving the gift of a fun relaxing spa service where your valentine will feel pampered, but not out of place. At Cultures, we pride ourselves in providing a comfortable, warm, non-snooty environment. Luxury, without the snobbery.

Bath Confetti: Sprinkle our scented confetti under running water to get luxurious bubbles, or sprinkle in still bath water to make a "fancy" bath for your loved one. Light a couple of candles and you are good to go! We even have heart-shaped confetti that is strawberry scented.

Pedicure of the Month Club: Buy your loved one a 3, 6, or 12 month membership in our pedicure club. They can have their monthly pedicure done here or, for those that don't live close, we can send the products right to their door. See the "Packages" section of our service menu for more information. Our featured pedi flavor for February is Cupcake! Mmmmmm!

Whipped Body Cream: Try some of our delicious body cream. This light, whipped lotion is moisturizing without being greasy. Our featured 'flavors' in February are Cupcake and Orange Dreamsicle. Pick up a jar of lotion ($4, $8, and $16) to go with your gift card or cake bites.

bettybeauty: Get your betty ready! We have some fun new colors for Valentines and the new READYbetty (hair removal) styling kits. The kits even include free stencils, for those of you who are brave. (See our previous blog post for more information.)

Top Trend Setters - Looking Back At 2009

2010-01-29T12:40:00.000-08:00

The new year is already flying by, but before the first month of the brand new year is completely gone, we want to take a moment to reflect on some beauty trendsetters in 2009 and think about what may be in store for us this year.

Susan Boyle: With all of her growing success, came a much needed grooming of the eyebrows and a pleasing makeover. Why do we pick her as number one? Because she is a great case-in-point that there are no lost causes. Everyone can be beautiful with a little help from their friends.

Drew Barrymore: She isn't afraid to take risks. Even now, in her thirties, she has been every color under the sun (almost) and has made them not only work, but made them beautiful. She even looked great with the ends of her hair almost black. She proves to us that, with just a little bit of a makeup, we can pull off almost any haircolor...if we dare.

Michelle Obama: No matter your political opinion, one thing we can all agree on is that the first lady has been a big trendsetter since she stepped onto the scene. Every magazazine is watching (and, generally, applauding) what she does with fashion. She is always put together. We all know she has a team to help her pull it off, but she has definitely inspired many people to find a hairstyle that looks great and classy on them.

Kate Gosselin: She has been in the news way too much this past year. Even she would agree with that. In the end, her hairstyle had a negative effect on styles this year. Her look, which was first imitated by the masses all over the nation, became the focus of a national, Halloween-time joke. There were so many Kate wigs and everyone was dressing up with (and mostly mocking) the signature Kate hairstyle. One positive though, her style was close to something that could be wearable and look good for others, with a little refinement. So, her style gave us a starting place to work with and we were able to achieve many versions of the style that were actually really cute and flattering.

Megan Fox: She inspired many women to go back to the dark. She made brunettes sexy again and for that we thank her! Nothing wrong with embracing your roots...literally.

Do you have other people that you think were a standout in trendsetting this year? Drop us a line and share your thoughts! We would love to hear from you.

We look forward to watching the new trends catch on and take shape during 2010, and seeing how they evolve by the end of the year. It looks like there may be some positive changes this year... Kate Gosselin's on the cover of our new People magazine with long, layered hair, courtesy of her new hair extensions. The year is already looking up!

bettybeauty {oh my!}

2010-01-28T16:07:00.000-08:00

We just received a new shipment of bettybeauty products, including the new READY betty (hair removal kit). So, we thought it might be a good time to post some information about the kits, and answer some of the questions that we frequently get about betty products.

What is bettybeauty?
bettybeauty is a line of haircolor products which allow you to safely color 'the hair down there' in the privacy of your own home.

Do people really do that?
Yes, they do. There are primarily three categories of use: (1) colors for people who want to match their 'betty' to their regular hair color - black, brown, auburn, blonde; (2) colors for people who want to cover their graying betty; (3) fun colors for people who want to try a vibrant or specialty color - pink, red, orange, lilac, blue. We also believe there is a strong fourth category of buyers: people who like to give bettybeauty as a gift - white elephant, 40th birthday, bridal shower, etc.

Why is bettybeauty safer than using regular hair dye?
Unlike regular hair dyes, betty color is specially formulated so it's safe to use down there. It contains natural ingredients, skin conditioners, and doesn't have a harsh chemical smell. The safe, no-drip formula won't run into sensitive areas.

Will the color rub off?
No. Even perspiration and physical activity will not affect betty color.

What is the new READY betty kit?
They call it the "Ultimate Styling Kit for Down There." READY betty is a hair removal kit that includes everything you need to trim, remove and shape the hair down there. It's a perfect fit for people who don't like waxing, or those who prefer to do their own hair removal. And, not only is it made to be safe for sensitive areas, it also has a revolutionary NO BAD SMELL cream hair remover. So you don't have to put up with the nasty odor of typical hair removal lotions. The kit is easy to use and has multiple applications.

How much does bettybeauty cost?
We sell our kits for only $14.99 each. They can be shipped just about anywhere, or you can pick them up at our salon.

Have any other questions you would like to ask about betty products? Send us an email: info@culturessalon.com

2010-01-01T20:48:00.000-08:00

Wow! We were so busy helping our in-salon clients glow those last couple weeks of December that we didn't have a chance to finish posting our glow tips. Sorry! But, since we don't want to leave you hanging forever (and since some of you have asked us for the rest), we will post them here for you now. Thanks for keeping us busy, and thank you for reading. We look forward to seeing you all this coming year!

Also, CONGRATULATIONS to Michelle S! She was the winner of our shine product giveaway and, since we saw her in December, she picked up the perfect shine product for her hair type and is already well on her way to beautiful, shiny hair.

December 31: Celebrate. Before you start planning your goals for the new year, take the time to celebrate what you've accomplished. Write down the things you did, the people you helped, and the difficult things you survived. You deserve a moment to pat yourself on the back before focusing on what needs to be improved in the coming year.

December 30: Write a Note. Was there someone that you kept thinking about over the holiday, or someone you didn't have time to buy a gift for? Write a quick note and drop it in the mail today.

December 29: Get a Shine Gloss. Instead of a color service (or in addition to your color service), get a shine gloss. It can improve your color and give your hair an extra, natural-looking glow.

December 28: Add Shimmer. Mirabella has two different mineral powders that we absolutely love! One has more of a silver shimmer and is called Illuminate, and the other has more of a gold shimmer and is called Pure Sun. You can also use a very, very, very fine glitter and mix in with your normal powder to give a hint of shimmer as well.

December 27: Get Help. When you ARE ready to clean up and put away the holiday decorations, be sure to enlist the help of others (especially spouses and kids that may live at home). Don't take all of the responsibility on yourself. It's your holiday too!

December 26: Take Your Time. No one cares if the decorations stay up a few extra days, or if the gifts don't get put away immediately. Just tell any complainers that WE told you to take your time.

December 25: Enjoy the food, friends, and family. You don't need any tips today; you will glow naturally when you're surrounded by loved ones and having a good time.

December 24: Do Something Nice. It's amazing how good you can feel, even when you do something small. Give a smile, let someone ahead of you in line, acknowledge good service. It doesn't need to be anything big, but it will help you get in the holiday spirit and it will make you glow inside and out.

December 23: Cut Something Out. Running out of time? Cut that extra something off your gift list. When it's all said and done, it won't matter.

December 22: Use a Sparkly Eyeshadow. Try using it only on your lid. It will give a hint of sparkle, without the overkill. A great thing to really perk those eyes up.

December 21: Get More Sleep this week. Concealer is a great trick, but there is nothing quite like the refreshed and glowing look of someone who really DID get a decent night's sleep.

December 20: Use Concealer. This can give you a refreshed look and make you appear as if you got plenty of sleep, even though you probably didn't. Put concealer where dark circles are and blend.

December 19: Try moroccanoil. Seriously, just try it.

December 18: Use Blush. During the winter months, it looks fresh to put a little pink blush on the apples of your cheeks. You don't want too much; just imitate the way your cheeks look when you've been out in the cold for a bit. Natural and beautiful.

December 17: Try a New Lip Color. Branch out. Do something vibrant. Be sure to play down the eye color a tad to balance it out. Raspberry is a hot color this season, and red is always fun this time of year. Of course, when is red not hot?

Congratulations Ashlee J!

2009-12-16T14:01:00.000-08:00

You're the winner of the Cultures Extravagant Spa Pedicure. Thanks to everyone else who entered. Keep trying! You still have time to enter some of the other giveaways this month.

2009-12-16T13:45:00.000-08:00

December 16: Do a Smoky Eye. It gives a sultry, sexy look. And who doesn't want sexy for the holidays? Don't do it in the day, though. It will look like you're wearing waaaay too much makeup! If you don't know how, come in and we can give you a quick lesson.

2009-12-15T13:09:00.000-08:00

December 15: Try Hair Jewelry. No, I'm not talking about barrettes. I'm talking about actual rhinestones that attach to your hair using a flat iron. Have you seen these yet? They are so festive and can add the perfect holiday finish to several hairstyles. See our Flickr photo page for examples (flickr.com/culturessalon). They can last several days (you can even shampoo carefully and restyle with them in!) and they're really easy to use. If you don't want to put them in yourself, we can do it for you. Best of all, they're only $20 for a package of 96 stones.

Congratulations Tonya!

2009-12-15T12:50:00.000-08:00

You're the winner of the Powerdose In-Salon Treatment & Conditioning Mask. Thanks to everyone else who entered. Keep trying! You still have time to enter some of the other giveaways this month.

2009-12-14T12:33:00.000-08:00

December 14: Wear Your Hair Curly. Sometimes it's just fun to do something different. Plus, when you look fancy, you feel fancy. And who doesn't want to feel fancy?! ;) Use Infinium 4 to create and keep those curls in. It has a strong hold, but it also has a heat protectant to protect from damage.

2009-12-13T12:21:00.000-08:00

December 13: Wear a Jeweled Headband. There are a ton of cute ones you can buy in the stores, but you can also make your own by fastening one of your favorite pins to a fabric headband. Instant glow factor!

2009-12-12T09:27:00.000-08:00

December 12: Use a Dry Shampoo. We're all busy this time of year. If you don't have time and need to stretch your style another day, this is a great product to absorb excess oil and odor from your hair. Even if you washed your hair today, you can use it during the day on dry hair to add more volume. We lurve Unite 7 Seconds Dry Shampoo.

2009-12-11T12:43:00.000-08:00

December 11: Take Vitamins. We can all use a boost of energy. Be sure to take an extra dose of Vitamin C. In addition to helping your immune system, it can combat the signs of aging. Hallelujah!

2009-12-10T12:28:00.000-08:00

December 10: Use Shine Spray. Shine products give your hair an extra shiny glow. They can also help tame down flyaways and be a quick fix for static in your hair. We love Texture Expert Perfect Shimmer, Unite Shina Mist Spray and Shina Spray Gloss, and Moroccanoil Gold Shimmer Shine Spray.

**Need a good shine spray? Send us an email and one lucky person will win a Shine Product (We'll choose the one that works best for your hair type.). $22 value.**

{Enter by December 17th, 11:59pm MST by sending an email to: info@culturessalon.com -- Put the word "Shine" in the subject line.}

2009-12-09T12:20:00.000-08:00

December 9: Wear an Updo. Gather your hair into a low ponytail, or low side ponytail. Curl the ends, then pin sections up to create a very simple but pretty updo. Need something easier? Try pulling your ponytail through the band the first time. On the second time of wrapping the elastic around, only pull the ponytail halfway through the band and stop. Then fan the ends, smooth, and hairspray in place.

2009-12-08T12:13:00.000-08:00

December 8: Boil Potpourri. Turn up the stove and put on some Christmas potpourri. It will add moisture to the air (which makes your skin feel better) and will give your home a delicious, old-school Christmas scent.

2009-12-07T08:59:00.000-08:00

December 7: Pedicure. No, it's not sandal weather. But does it matter? You're still using your feet to get you through the shopping, the parties, and the snow shoveling. Even though your toes aren't showing, your feet will feel so much better if you take care of them this winter. You can even do your own mini pedi. Use your exfoliator (Dec 3rd) to give your feet a quick scrub in the shower. After you towel dry, apply lotion (Dec 2nd) to feet and rub.

**Rather come in for a pedicure? Send us an email and one lucky person will win a Cultures Extravagant Spa Pedicure (complete with warm towels and a hand massage). $55 value. Out of state winner will receive a pedi kit by mail.**

{Enter by December 14th, 11:59pm MST by sending an email to: info@culturessalon.com -- Put the word "Pedicure" in the subject line.}

2009-12-06T08:51:00.000-08:00

December 6: Paint Your Nails. You don't need nail enhancements to look great for the holidays. Short polished nails are in style. Make your natural nails more festive by adding a glitter top coat to one of your favorite polishes, or choose a sassy red to show off your festive spirit.

2009-12-05T08:45:00.000-08:00

December 5: Take a bath. Light some candles, turn up the music, and take an hour for yourself to unwind and relax. Add some bubble bath or essential oils to your water. I love the bubbling bath confetti, but anything that smells delicious and creates bubbles will do. (This is also a great time to let that deep conditioner sit on your hair!)

2009-12-04T08:24:00.000-08:00

December 4: Deep Condition. I'm guessing a lot of you are experiencing static in your hair, or at least looking really parched in the hair? Dang this dry weather! The only real way to fix static is to add moisture. Leave a deep penetrating conditioner on your hair for an extra 5 minutes to replenish that moisture and eliminate static. Your hair will be a lot easier to style and will look great! Good ones to try? I like Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask or Unite Softa.

**Need a good deep conditioning? Send us an email and one lucky winner will win a Powerdose in-salon conditioning treatment, and a conditioning mask to use at home all winter long. $50 value! If out of state, we can send it by mail.**

{Enter by December 11th, 11:59pm MST by sending an email to: info@culturessalon.com -- Put the word "Condition" in the subject line.}

2009-12-03T16:59:00.000-08:00

December 3: Exfoliate. Sloughing off that dull, dry skin helps your skin glow and helps that water you've been drinking flush out the toxins in your body. Any salt or sugar scrub will do the job. Of course, I'm partial to our shea butter salt scrub (it comes in each of our seasonal flavors). We offer a new one each month. December's scrub is Eggnog scented. Mmmm!

2009-12-02T16:46:00.000-08:00

December 2: Moisturize. Drench your body in some out-of-the-ordinary, luxurious body creams. There are so many great scents available during the holidays! This year, we're featuring Hempz Treats lotion because we love all four of their delicious flavors: Coconut Cream Frosting, Gingerbread Cookie, Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake, and Cranberry Vanilla Cake. These can go on your hips and you'll still fit in your jeans!

Get Your Glow On

2009-12-01T16:32:00.000-08:00

I was flipping through the Oprah magazine and got inspired. They have a segment called: "Pretty Quick!" and I decided I'd like to do something similar for our salon friends. We will post a different idea each day in December, and I'm going to try to do each one myself too.

So here are some little helpful tips that will help you look your best and feel your best for the holiday season. There's nothing wrong with a little pampering to keep your sanity this season!

December 1: Drink lots of water. It will improve the look of your skin, your body will be rejuvinated, and you will have more energy. Who doesn't need that?!

Part Three: Feeling Tired. Setting A New Goal.

2009-10-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

Wow. I can't believe it's been two months since I set my new goal to relax more.

So far, I'm kind of disappointed in myself. I haven't even done a series of anything yet. But, in the way of progress, I did find time for a couple of pedicures (which were great!). And I got my hair colored (finally!). Oh, and I took a vacation (family reunions count, right?). So I think I'm making a little progress.

Some of our blogger friends also took a little time out for themselves. Thanks for coming in and trying something new, ladies! Here's what they had to say about their relaxation time...

Stephanie:
She was selected to try the Body Wrap but, since it's not recommended for women who are pregnant, she opted for the Spa Pedicure instead. Congratulations Stephanie!

"Thank you, thank you, thank you for my spa pedicure! It was much needed and MUCH appreciated... I was relaxed and rejuvenated to better handle my daily stress! I appreciate your suggestion to look for ways to help others out. I have been doing that as much as I can, and even though it's not as luxurious as a spa pedicure, I like to think I'm helping relieve a bit of stress from those around me. Thanks again, it was wonderful!"

Jamie:
She had tried massage before, but this was Jamie's first Hot Stone Massage. What a great way to relax. Thanks for giving it a try Jamie!

"I am a triathlete in training so my body is always tight from biking, running, and swimming. The hot stone massage was a great way to loosen up my muscles and make my body feel fabulous! If I could have one every week I would. Thanks so much to Cultures Salon for a fabulous 90 minutes of relaxation and pampering."

Melissa:
Although she wished the Temporary Texture Service would have lasted longer in her hair, Melissa had plenty of nice things to say about her visit. Thanks for coming Melissa!

Thanks so much for letting me come in and have this free service. It was nice to spend time being pampered, something that doesn't happen for me too often... Your salon is darling. The stylist who did my service was cute and personable and professional... It seems like the salon has a fun, relaxed atmosphere and offers a lot of great services at affordable prices... The thing I liked most about your salon was that it was trendy and fun without being pretentious."

More Pedi Love

2009-08-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

Such an honor to have our Fried Ice Cream Pedi by Mail named as one of Liv's Favs.

Fun blog. Thanks for the love, Liv!

http://livsfavs.blogspot.com/2009/08/fried-ice-cream-for-my-feeties.html

Part Two: Feeling Tired. Setting A New Goal.

2009-08-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks for your emails! Here are a few ladies who want to relax and try something new also.

Jamie - She said, "If I had the money I would try them all... I don't think I would complain about any treatment." But the thing she's most curious to try is a hot stone massage. Now that's my kind of relaxation too!

Melissa - She told me, "I've really wanted to try one of those temporary texture treatments in my hair to see how it looks. It sounds like fun to have curly hair for awhile!" She can relax getting the treatment, and then relax every day when she doesn't have to spend so much time on her hair!

Stephanie - Her email said, "I would do the body wrap. Totally. I've never had one before." Two great minds think alike!

Kimberly Anne - She said, "I would love to try a facial! I hear they are wonderful!" She's right. They are wonderful!

We are going to treat them to their dream services. Can't wait to hear what they think. Off to accomplish my goal too! See you soon ladies.

Feeling Tired. Setting A New Goal.

2009-08-04T15:39:00.001-07:00

I don’t know about you all, but I’m tired lately.

Tired of hearing about the economy. Tired of doing laundry. Tired of the summer always going too fast.

I need a pick me up… and fast!

I considered increasing my daily doses of caffeine but, since I'm not even sure that's possible, I thought maybe I would make a little more effort to exercise each day instead. And to get more sleep at night. Maybe that will perk me up a little?

I also decided to take advantage of some rejuvenation options here at work. I mean, what better way to rest than to get pampered? My own 'pampering' usually ends up being 20 minutes crammed in here-and-there when an appointment finishes early, or when I have a last minute reschedule. Not that I'm complaining about being busy, mind you. It's just, I think I need to make more of an effort to relax. Now that's my kind of goal! Relax more.

So, I am going to put myself on a program. Maybe I'll do a series of chemical peels. Or massages. Or maybe a series of the bodywraps. We just recently had another training on them and I am even more intrigued. The wraps we do here are for detoxification, smoothing out cellulite, and inch loss. Now that is perking me up already! I have to admit, even though we do quite a few of them, I have only ever had one wrap myself. I did experience some nice firming in my upper arm, so it would be nice to see what a series of them will do...

Hmm. Wish me luck. I think I'm ready to work on my new goal now.

As for you... Is there something you're curious about trying, but haven't dared yet? Which series of treatments would you do if you could do anything? Write me an email and tell me what service(s) you would try. Are you willing to do some laundry to trade for said treatments? {You think I'm kidding, but I'm not!}

info@culturessalon.com

Pedi Love

2009-08-03T11:56:00.000-07:00

We love hearing from other bloggers who've tried our products. Here's a darling blog from mom-to-be Kris who wrote about winning one of our pedicure kits. Thanks for the love Kris, and keep up the great blog!

http://paddyandkris.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-won-i-won.html

Burn. Ouch!

2009-07-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

Okay people, we still have another whole month of summer left and I’m already seeing hair in pretty sad condition.

So let's talk about sunburns, shall we?

The sun burns. If you don't use good protection... It burns your skin. It burns your eyes. And, in case you didn't know, it can burn your hair. Crazy, but it's true.

Some things that can affect the amount of sun damage that you get are:

The time of day. You are more likely to get a sunburn between 10am and 4pm, when the sun's rays are the strongest. You might think you have less chance of getting a sunburn on cloudy days, but that isn't true.

Reflective surfaces, such as water, light colored sand, concrete, ice, and snow can all increase your chances of getting burned. All of these reflect the sun's rays and cause sunburns.

Altitude. It is easy to get sunburned at higher altitudes, because there is less of the earth's atmosphere to block the sunlight. UV exposure increases about 4% for every 1000 ft gain in elevation.

The bad thing is, the hair doesn't have natural self-healing properties like the skin, so damage done to the hair can be even harder to remedy.

So, what can you do if your hair is feeling like straw?

First, we recommend getting a good, professional deep conditioning treatment. Unlike a hot oil treatment which just coats the surface of the hair to make it feel better, professional treatments are made to actually repair the damage and return moisture to the hair.

Next, get regular haircuts. Some damage cannot be repaired and may have to be cut off, but the most important thing is to make sure you are having the ends trimmed regularly.

Finally, use products that are specifically made to protect the hair from sun damage.

We carry the Serie Expert Solar Sublime products. Not only do these products protect the hair from the uv rays, they also protect from chlorine buildup.

Chlorine is another problem we see a lot during this time of year. Chlorine buildup not only affects the color of your hair (ie: blondes get a green hue), but it also leaves a yucky coating and unnatural sheen on the surface.

The best thing you can do to remove chlorine buildup is to get a professional clarifying treatment. It also helps to get a good clarifying shampoo and use it immediately after swimming. Another trick is to buy a cheap, waxy conditioner and apply it to your hair before you swim. This will create a barrier and protect the chlorine from getting into your hair. And, again, use hair products that are made to protect the hair from chlorine and other chemicals.

If you have any questions about sun damage to the hair, leave us a comment here, or just email us at: info@culturessalon.com and we will respond to you directly. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Loss of a Hair Icon

2009-06-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

Actress, beauty and hair icon Farrah Fawcett died [June 25] at the age of 62. Hairstylists and beauty addicts won’t easily forget Fawcett, from the poster that made her famous to the hairstyle that launched thousands of imitators. Her mark on the beauty industry has made her an influence and inspiration for the last 30 years.

Excerpt and photo from the Modern Salon blog. To read the entire post about Fawcett's influence on hair styles, click here: http://modernsalon.com/BlogBloggerPage/tabid/65/Default.aspx?cid=367692&tid=13&emc=el&m=1729228&l=7&v=5848edc3ac

Facebook Winners

2009-06-11T07:04:00.000-07:00

Check out our Facebook Discussion Board to see who won our Free Spa Pedicures!

Blog and Twitter winners from April/May to be announced soon...

Hair Show, Trends, Other Fun Stuff

2009-06-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

As many of you already know, we look forward to May every year because that's when we attend one of our favorite Hair Shows in Salt Lake City. It was great. As always.

There were lots of new products to check out, new tools with the latest technology, and new ideas for achieving the latest and greatest styles. Also, there were tons of classes -- our favorite part. (Sounds crazy to spend your time off at classes, but we love it!) I thought you might like to hear about some of the things that were buzzing at the show this year...

Chunky stripey highlights are out. Still. (I told you.) Panel color is in. (Panel color means big blocks of color that shines through, but you can't tell exactly where it's coming from.) Also, very natural haircolor; subtle highlights.

If your style is a little edgy, we saw some great styles for you too. Some serious edgy haircuts and funky colors. All very geometrical.

For the rest of you, hair has lots of movement. Lots of texture. Bangs and fringe are still in -- in a big way. Those vary, depending on your personal style. Side swept bobs with lots of layers are super fresh. We are getting away from the stacked A-Line bob.

Long hair? Layers! If you're afraid of layers, there is a technique called invisible layers. This gives long hair the movement it needs to look updated without you being able to see where that movement is coming from. Invisible layers. Clever. And it looks amazing.

The show wasn't all about hair either. We brought in some new OPI Soak Off Gel Polish. It goes on smooth like regular polish, cures under the lamp and lasts like gels, and stays super glossy like gels. But it's much easier to take off than traditional gel nails. You can remove and change only the color, without removing all of the gel base. It lasts up to 2 weeks on natural nails and 4 weeks on toes. And, the best part, it's available in all of OPI's best selling polish colors! So you can now get your longer-lasting gel toes in many of your favorite OPI polish colors.

If you don't want to be tied down to gel toes, we also have the brand new Summer Collection of nail polishes by OPI. Get your toes done, and buy a bottle for touch ups at home. The colors are fun and bright. Perfect for summer.

Curious about what you just read, or anything else we saw at the hair show? Write us an email at info@culturessalon.com and we will answer your questions.

Fried Ice Cream Pedi Love

2009-05-17T21:27:00.000-07:00

We got a little love from the hillarious & talented blogger Motherboard. This is from a post about our pedicure products on her blog "Crazyland: {tales} from the Motherboard."

. . . I was sent the most incredible pedicure package from culturessalon.com to try and review. Can I just say HOLY COW, people?! Divine heaven, if I say so myself! Without a shadow of a doubt, and with every fiber of my being I can say that Cultures Salon flavor of the month is true! It has rocked my world, and forever changed my feet! If you have read me for any period of time, you know that my last home pedicure was disastrous. But, Cultures Salon was not. Oh my, No siree! It was sheer bliss!...

Thank you!

To read more of her crazyland antics, reviews, opinions, playlists, and other important and funny information, check out her blog: http://wheredidiputthat.blogspot.com/

We loved her review so much, we decided to advertise on one of her blogs!

Don't Shampoo Every Day? This Post Is For You.

2009-04-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

I am definitely a "wash-my-hair-every-single-day" kind of gal. Don't like the grease. Can't stand the smell of day old scalp. But, this weekend, I willingly sacrificed for your sake. Generous, I know. As promised to those of you who follow us on Twitter, here are the results of my personal test of the new 7Seconds Dry Shampoo by Unite...

I tried it. And I was really IMPRESSED. It's a good product. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not going to change my habits, mind you. But, if I were in a bind, I would definitely want this product on my side.

For those of you that are confused by the words 'dry' and 'shampoo': This is a dry aerosol that helps mop up oil and take away the smells in your hair so that you don't have to wash it. (Think truck drivers, campers, sick people, people who go clubbin' in smoke-filled joints all night then have to get up and go to work in the morning and don't have time to shower, and any others who just don't want to wash their hair, for whatever reason.)

My hair gets super oily on Day 2. I can't stand not washing (& conditioning) my hair every day. So I figured I would be a good test case for this product.

I sprayed in the 7Seconds Dry Shampoo and, as the instructions said, did a 'light dusting motion' with my other hand. It actually worked well enough that my hair didn't look wet any more. (Sick, I know.) I probably wouldn't wear my hair down, but I could wear a decent ponytail and my bangs looked fairly normal. Also my head didn't itch and, personally, I didn't "feel" like I hadn't washed it.

The night before I tried it out, I did some serious cooking and had all sorts of smoke/meat/onion smells stuck in my hair. After using the dry shampoo, it had a nice fresh baby powder scent. I was extremely impressed with this. I'm guessing it would be a great item for campers. Get out that smoke smell. And I guess all of you clubbers out there too.

Anyway, would I recommend this product? Absolutely!

Interested in getting some? We sell it here.
(Don't live close? Email us at info@culturessalon.com)

Win Free Stuff!

2009-04-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

Here are a few promotions we have going on. Enter to win them all!

Facebook: Become a fan of Cultures on Facebook and receive a $10 Gift Card!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clearfield-UT/Cultures-Salon-Day-Spa/132156990429

Facebook: Visit our Facebook Discussion Board and see how you can enter to win a FREE Spa Pedicure ($40 value). Don't live close? If you win, we will ship you a pedi kit by mail.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clearfield-UT/Cultures-Salon-Day-Spa/132156990429#/pages/Clearfield-UT/Cultures-Salon-Day-Spa/132156990429?v=app_2373072738&viewas=0

Twitter: Comment on any (or each!) tweet in April and May and be entered to win a FREE Haircut ($25 value). One entry per comment per tweet. Don't live close? If you win, you can choose $25 in products from our e-store. Go to: http://twitter.com/culturessalon

Blog: Post a comment on one (or all!) of our April and May blog posts for a chance to win a FREE One Hour Massage ($45 value). One entry per comment per post. Don't live close? If you win, you can choose $25 in products from our e-store. Go to: You're already here!

Luxurious Lashes

2009-04-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

So, long luxurious lashes are all the rage. We see them EVERYWHERE. I loooove the look, but I have a little problem. I'm lazy. I could use false eyelashes, but to get those on perfectly (for me) takes hours. I would try lash extensions, but seriously, they take about 2 hours to apply, and you have to get them refitted about every 2 to 3 weeks. I don't have that much extra time nor do I want to shell out the extra cash for that. (The good ones can cost close to $200 each visit.)

Well, Mirabella came to my rescue and I am tickled pink! They just came out with the Fringe Benefits Eyelash Kit. Now, that's something I figured I could do. It doesn't seem like I would have to exert too much effort. I mean, I already put on mascara, so how hard could it be?

Funny thing is, I've always been fairly satisfied with my left side lashes when they have mascara. But my right ones have always been sparse and stubby.

The kit comes with a product called Lash Therapy, which is a conditioner you put on at night to condition, lengthen, and strengthen. I've been using the kit for over a month now and my lashes are DEFINITELY longer. My right side isn't so stubby anymore. YAY! And the best part? The kit costs less than $60. (Lash Therapy is less than $20 when purchased separately.)

The second step in the kit is the Lash Definition Primer. This is a product you put on before your mascara. It has little fibers in it to help lengthen and thicken your lashes as you are waiting for them to grow. So, in the meantime, you can fake it!

Finally, the third step is the mascara, called Lash Essential Mascara. It is applied over the top of the primer. This mascara is great. It doesn't flake or run off - unless maybe you take a 3 hour nap on your face. But, really, who has time for that? Also, it doesn't make my lashes crispy and I'm not allergic to it. (I am to several others.) Holler!

So, if you catch me batting my long, natural eyelashes at you, don't be flattered. It's just because I want to SHOW THEM OFF!

ps: Interested in buying the kit? Visit our online store. Go to www.culturessalon.com/shop (In the "For Your Face" section.)

Beauty Week on "Light Refreshments Served"

2009-04-13T02:16:00.001-07:00

If you haven't visited the "Light Refreshments Served" blog before... why not?! But this week there's even more reason to check it out.

My fabulous and talented friend Lisa is one of their writers, and this week she's writing about beauty -- and letting me help her. Not only will there be great beauty tips all week long, but we'll be giving away some big prizes. A prize each day for six days!

So, what are you still doing on my blog? Get outta here! Go win some stuff! Click this link...

http://lightrefreshmentsserved.com/tag/beauty-week/

{4/19/09: Although the Beauty Week giveaways have ended, you can still see all of the beauty tips by visiting the link.}

In the News

2009-04-06T23:20:00.000-07:00

Cultures Pedi Kits featured on "Sweet Life In the Valley"...

http://www.sweetlifeinthevalley.com/2009/04/sweet-home-spa-pedi-by-mail.html

Spring Trend Watch

2009-04-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess we can TALK about spring, even though it doesn't FEEL at all like spring yet.
(Did that sound bitter?)

Let's look (longingly) ahead to the spring weather and go over a few of the styling trends that you will see this season...

If you're loving your long hair but need a few ideas to update, BRAIDS are a good way to go. Not a Marsha Brady French braid. Not Bo Derek braids. Think Jennifer Aniston at the Oscars braids. Now THAT is the spring braid we are talking about. One or two braids (or three) that are nice, small, and clean - very chic.

If you want to pull off a more sexy look (who doesn't, really?), keep the braid loose. See Kate Hudson for the always sexy look.

This season is still about hair with lots of texture. Not so smooth, sleek, and perfectly ironed. Use your natural texure, if you have it. If your hair is perfectly straight, try braiding your hair in several different braids, spray it with a thermal styling spray, flat iron over the top of each braid, let it cool down, and then undo them. Voila! Texture.

Ponytails are still great. (Yay for me!) Although, they never really go out of style. The way you do the ponytail is what determines if it is "fresh" or not. Wear a super sleek pony with a section of hair covering your rubber band, or hair with lots of texture and loosely pulled up into the ponytail.

If you have (or want) short hair, it's all about the Long Bob. Think Gwyneth Paltrow, or Heidi Klum. Very classy, and very sassy!

These are just a few of the styling trends you'll be seeing this spring. Give them a try.

On a side note, for those of you who are paying attention to all of the bright colors in fashion for spring: If you are a little leary, but still want to play... Paint a bright color on your short nails. Try OPI's "Feelin' Hot-Hot-Hot" to give you a little splash of the spring hues.

And, finally, we will be attending one of our annual hair shows in May where we will learn all sorts of new cut and color techniques. I'll keep you posted on what we find there.

A Whole New (Mini) You!

2009-04-03T15:18:00.000-07:00

Want to see pictures of our latest mini makeover and read an inspiring journey of weightloss? Check out this blog...

http://jeanniemineer.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-super-sweet-mini-makeover.html

A Different Kind of Place

2009-03-18T09:32:00.001-07:00

I was a salon consultant for six years. In that time, I worked with hundreds of different types of salons, and their owners and stylists. One of the reasons I decided to open my own place is because I wanted to put something out there that I hadn't seen. A different kind of place.

My job as a consultant was to teach, train, sell. I also had plenty of time to observe. I spent time in (what seems like) millions of places where the customer service was, uhm, slightly less than atrocious. Clients coming in and stylists walking up to see if it was their customer. When it wasn't, just turning around and walking back. Saying nothing. No smile. No hang on, someone will be with you in a minute. Nada. Or stylists talking only to each other, as their clients sat listening in the chair.

The music was so loud in some places that everyone was yelling at each other in order to have a conversation. I would leave with the biggest headache after only being there minutes. I can only imagine sitting there for hours.

I saw unswept floors, or piles of hair building until the end of the day. Brushes and combs used on clients that I saw used on the previous client with no cleaning in between. Tools with hair stuck all over them not being cleaned. Animals hanging out in the salon. Not service animals. Just pet animals. Pedicure tubs, and pedi mani implements just rinsed in water. No sanitizer in sight. (If this happens to you, RUN!)

And, the quality of work sometimes made me more squeamish than the poor sanitization. I worked with many stylists who had not received education since they were licensed. People who never even so much as read a trade journal. Still used the only haircolor line and knowledge they ever learned, in school. (This may not mean much to you, but if you only knew the truth about how little stylists know about color when they graduate, you would be frightened too.)

I decided I wanted to open my own place. A place where I knew everything was clean, and safe, and sanitized. A place with superior customer service, where clients feel like they can come and really relax. Take a break from the day, and not leave with a headache. Our music is more coffee shop. (Think Starbucks, or Barnes & Noble.) And we play it in the background, not in your face. If clients feel like talking, that's great. If they don't, that's fine too. We avoid forced small talk whenever possible. And when we are talking, you can bet that we're not telling you all of our personal problems, and we're not starting up inappropriate conversations that will make your face turn red.

We have fun, but we want people to leave feeling refreshed. And we want them to leave more knowledgeable about their hair, or skin, or feet than when they came in. If they have questions, we want to take the time to answer them.

If any of those things are important to you too, you should check us out. If not, stay where you are. Oh, and by the way, if you're worried about us being current in what's happening with hair, skin, and makeup, we've got it covered there too. We attend and conduct classes in our salon at least a couple times a month. Down time at our place is either training time, or cleaning time.

Now that I think about it, I guess we are quite an anomaly.

Free $10 Gift Card & Chance to Win Unite Hair Products!

2009-02-28T14:00:00.000-08:00

Become a fan of Cultures Salon & Day Spa on Facebook and receive a $10 gift card.

Facebook Members: sign into your account, then go to our page and join as a fan http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clearfield-UT/Cultures-Salon-Day-Spa/132156990429

Not a Facebook Member? Sign up for a free Facebook account.

Don't want to join? You can still see our page using the link above.

Want a chance to win a bag of Unite Hair Products? Post a "Hair Horror Story" on our Facebook Discussion Board. {This contest has ended, but if you check out the discussion board there's probably a new contest going on.}

Don't Read this Post if You're Sensitive About Your Hair

2009-02-28T13:21:00.000-08:00

I tried to warn you. I really don't want to offend, but there is something about UTAH HAIR that is driving me crazy. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying Idaho is known for it's cutting edge style or anything. It's just that, sometimes, too often, a trend catches on in Utah and it just takes over. It spreads like wildfire. And if you're into this trend right now, you are gonna get burned. By this post. So, really, please, stop reading...

News Flash: We Don't Believe In BACKCOMBING!

I hardly dare say it because I know some of you are not gonna like it. Actually, I take that back. I DO dare say it. I say it all the time. To my customers. And anyone else who will listen.

I'm fed up with it. I just don't get it. Everyone does it WAY too much. I've seen some so bad it looks like they have a square box pinned in their hair. Honey, wake up! It's doesn't look good. It's not flattering. You're ruining your hair.

Why don't we like it? Well, since you asked...

It seems to be virtually impossible for people to backcomb their own hair and then smooth it over so it doesn't look like a fat rats' nest. I don't know if they don't own two mirrors, if they can't crane their necks, or if they just give up trying to smooth and decide to go with it.

The other reason I don't recommend it is because it is VERY BAD for your hair. Roughing up the cuticle makes hair more fragile, and causes it to break. We had a new client in this week that said she used to backcomb her hair, but now it just doesn't seem to work as well. Plus, her already fine hair was "falling out" and getting thinner. HELLO! Her hair was not "falling" out. It was completely broken off from the "volume" she was creating nearly every day. No wonder it stopped working. She has no hair left back there to volumize. It's actually not a unique case. We see it all the time. Some girls have done it so much that their hair looks like a nest, even when they haven't ratted it.

Now, does that mean we expect women to just walk around with flat, limp hair? Well, no. That's just ridiculous. What we expect is for people to GET VOLUME the CORRECT WAY. Using modern products. New technology. Common sense.

When is backcombing acceptable? Only for special occassions (read: weddings, proms) when the hair not only needs tons of volume, but it needs to last through the all-nite party. Backcombing works for updos. So, unless you're a wedding gown model...

Don't do it! If it's volume you need, there are many, many ways to achieve volume. Volume happens from the moment you shampoo, or when you blow dry, and as you begin to style your hair. It's not the last thing you do. It happens throughout your entire hair routine. For extra help, use velcro rollers, curling irons, flat irons, thermal styling products, texture sprays, root boosters, volumizing products. So many options. There are hundreds of techniques out there that will give you volume and still let you have healthy, shiny, smooth hair. Now, who wouldn't want that?

One last thing, it really helps to have a good hair cut. By someone who really knows what they're doing. When your stylist is styling your hair, ask for tips on getting a lot of volume out of your hair. If they show you how to backcomb, especially in the crown, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE! It just means they don't know any more about getting volume than you do.

Valentine Makeover Winners Announced

2009-02-14T10:41:00.000-08:00

A big THANK YOU to everyone who entered our makeover contest. We are excited to announce the following winner(s):

Diane L. - GRAND PRIZE
Diane wins a makeover package including Haircolor, Haircut & Style, Deep Conditioning Treatment, Makeup Application, and her choice of a Spa Pedicure, a European Facial, or a One Hour Massage. That's a pretty sweet package. Congratulations Diane!

Deborah C. - RUNNER UP
Deborah wins a makeover package including Haircolor, Haircut & Style, Deep Conditioning Treatment, and Makeup Application. Congratulations Deborah!

Debbie D. & Rowena W. - SEMI FINALISTS
Debbie and Rowena each win a $50 Gift Card. Congratulations Debbie & Rowena!

More Choices

2009-01-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

I'm bugged. I read all these beauty magazines, geared to help you become a better, more beautiful you. I can't help but notice that a lot of them say there is no difference between grocery store hair products and professional hair products. Or they give suggestions on "cheaper" products which are supposed to make your hair shiny, healthy, and stronger.

To me, this is another case of Good Hair is a Choice. They're not the same. And if you suspect they are, you have probably never used professional products.

If you don't care about the explanation, just read this next sentence and then skip the next three paragraphs... Here is the difference: Hair does not shine, feel, move, last or look as good when you use cheaply made products.

(Now, I must include an explanation that what used to be fine or so-so professional brands "back in the day," may not be what I consider a professional brand in the modern age. Some brands, although considered "professional" brands, are really just not professional any more. They're old. Developed with old technologies. Obsolete. Sadly, some salons still thrive on these brands and people still buy them because they are often the most recognized names in the business. I won't list those here, but if you come in and ask me, I will tell you which ones they are.)

Professional products are acid balanced. Why does that matter? Your skin and scalp have a protective barrier on the surface which has a pH of 4.5 to 5.5 on the scale. Anything else that's higher on the pH scale will dry out your scalp and hair. That includes brands that claim to be "pH Balanced." Those register around a 7 on the scale.

Because most people don't want dry scalp and hair, manufacturers of the cheaper brands mask this problem by adding other ingredients to disguise the fact that the non-acid-balanced cleansers have stripped this protective coating off. These ingredients include waxes, chemicals, conditioning agents, and even medications.

So, why do manufacturers use these harsh cleansers in the first place? Because they are cheaper. So the finished product is cheaper for consumers. And because some people care about cheap more than they care about beauty.

Now, to be honest. That's okay with me. If someone chooses to invest their money somewhere besides their hair, I can live with that. I can respect that. But don't pretend you're gonna get the same result as the person who chooses to invest in their hair. And don't complain that you're not getting the same result. It's the same with electronics, or clothing, or anything else you can purchase.

Still not sure there's a difference? Well, let me tell you a little story. A true story. I ACTUALLY SAW THIS DONE at a hair show before. I saw a stylist perform a PERM without any perm solution. Instead, they used a grocery store shampoo. One of the top selling ones. That tells you a little about the chemical makeup of that shampoo. (End of story. I told you it was a little story.)

Professional products are not only made differently, they are tested by salons. Stylists who do hair all day long have to put their stamp of approval on a product before it is released for sale. Another reason to buy products from your stylists is because you want to get the same look that they get with your hair. Doesn't it make sense to do what they are are doing? Enough said.

Let me just finish by telling you about my mom. A great lady. I love her. But she is someone who DOES NOT spend frivolously, or even generously, especially on herself. She had seven children. That's how you manage. Professional hair products were not introduced into our household until I went to hair school. I started buying her professional products. She used them. And she probably didn't notice any difference at the time. But then she went on a little trip and she forgot to take them with her. So, out of convenience (but mostly out of old beliefs), she ran to the grocery store and bought herself some shampoo and conditioner. Well, I got a phone call from her the next day telling me that she "gets it" now. It was her worst hair day in years. Her hair felt dry. And yucky. She's A BELIEVER to this day. Amen to that, mom. Amen to that.

Good Hair Is A Choice

2009-01-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! (Lateness not my fault. Enough said.) I hope you all set lofty goals to improve yourself. I know I have!

During the holidays, I got to spend some rare time with a few of my family members. It is always great to be around them. I get to relax and catch up with everyone, including my nieces and nephews (all 25 of them). Speaking of nieces...

A few months ago, one of my nieces won a makeover from a local cosmetology school in Idaho. They took her dark brunette hair to a sassy blonde and cut her long hair into a cute, short, piecey A-Line. I think they even did it/showed it off at the high school. And, kudos to them. I hear it was cute. And such a big change. So fun!

Well... fun for like two weeks. Then, reality set in. Her roots started to show. Dark. And then it got interesting. A few weeks later those dark roots didn't look so great next to the blonde ends. So my niece (shame on her!) agreed to let a friend "fix it" for her. They bought some brown haircolor that matches her natural hair to cover up the blonde. Seems good. Should fix it, right? In their minds, brown beats blonde. (Because color theory is really just a rock-paper-scissors game where the stronger/darker color wins?)

Long story short, she turned out purple-ish with some fuschia highlights. Really, the purple isn't as bad as what I usually see when people attempt this same feat themselves. It's usually green or grey. But still, not at all what she thought she was going to get when she put on the brown color. By the time I saw her at Christmas, it was a red/orange color. Also not attractive.
As I got after her and my sister for not going to a professional to get it fixed (I mean, I know it's a drive down here to see me. But really, not even a phone call?), something dawned on me. I realized...

Good hair is a choice.

If you choose to do something drastic, you need to be willing to keep it up. Or, if it was just for fun, then you need to spend the money to get it professionally fixed. A layperson is not going to be able to fix it as well as a professional can. And, to be completely honest, not all professionals will be able to fix it either. But, at least a professional stylist will usually be connected to a salon that will do all they can to get it right. Even if it means calling over a manager or a more experienced colorist to help out. I know it looks so simple. It seems so simple. But it really isn't.

If you choose not to spend the money, then don't make the drastic changes. Especially when it comes to color. Stick with the subtle. I would take plain old boring, healthy, natural hair ANY DAY over poorly colored hair. I can always tell if someone has done their own color. ALWAYS. You are never fooling a real colorist. And, in the end, it is sooooo much more expensive to correct bad color than it is to pay for good color in the first place.

Good hair is a choice. Choose wisely. Enough said.

Not Yer Momma's Hairspray!

2008-12-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

Remember back in the day of the "football helmet," or the "rats nest" hair? Or maybe you remember styling some crunchy "wings" on the sides of your hair? In those days, you would be in some serious hurt, or have the worst hair day ever, if your hair was not permanently cemented into place.

With all the new technology available, you would think they could develop something that keeps your style in place, but lets your hair move. Something that can last all day but doesn't completely defy the law of gravity. Well, great news! There is something...

Most of my customers already know this, but there is a hairspray that actually has style memory. Not sure what memory has to do with hair? Well, style memory means that the hair can be set to go back into place, even after it's been messed up, after you've walked through a wind storm, or after whatever else may happen to your hair during the day. Style memory means that you can still get it back into the style that you started with.

I know plenty of companies are claiming they have style memory in their products lately, but L'Oreal Professionnel's Infinium hairspray really does have the most superior memory available on the market. What these other companies are claiming doesn't even compare to the real thing! Plus, it doesn't feel like hairspray. It's amazing! And, it really works. (No, I do not work for them.)

With the softer styles of today, you can really have the best of both worlds. It can hold a style all day, but it's also touchable and soft. So, your hair can look sexy, and not feel nasty. Once again, I reiterate, touchable. Come on, really, no one wants to touch stiff, sticky hair no matter how great it looks.

Some of the other benefits are added shine and heat protectant. That means you can protect your hair while you style with your blow dryer or irons. It is the best hairspray I have ever used. And I've tried them all. Believe me. You should see some of my middle school photos.

The Big Move

2008-11-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

We did it. We moved! Well.... sort of. We moved to another part of our same building. Really just down the hall, if you want to get technical.

It was a lot of hard work. Okay, not as hard as moving irrigation pipe (which I've done also, thank you very much), but, still hard. Painting walls is not as fun as painting hair, at least not to me.

We have a nice, big, cozy treatment room -- larger than our other one. That's where we now do our massages, facials, waxing, and other spa services. The new room has an old fireplace, which adds a homey feel to it. And, just for fun, we added an ipod dock in there. So, for those who don't particularly enjoy the flutey massage music, you can listen to your own playlist while you relax.

I definitely recommend trying a massage. We have a new massage therapist who does an incredible job! In fact, one of our clients who receives massage on a regular basis from other places said to me (after trying our massage), "People always told me they feel like they are going to melt after a massage. I never knew what they meant, until now." Now that's a hefty compliment!

So, come in. Take a break. Check out our semi-new facility. Treat yourself. Maybe with a little relaxation, you'll actually be able to enjoy them this year. (The holidays, that is. Or your in-laws. Whichever.)

My, How Time Has Flown!

2008-11-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

You haven't seen anything from me for a bit because I took a short vacation. Went to California. Did the Disneyland thing, and Hollywood. Got the grand tour of Angels stadium with my friend Hannah.

Hannah works in PR with the Jazz and the Bees (check out her blog "General-Lee Speaking" on utahjazz.com), so the Angels PR department rolled out some red carpet for us, or at least some grass. It was fantastic. Got to stand at home plate, sit in the dugout, see the inner workings of a professional baseball club. I coulda come home inspired by the baseball caps, but luckily for you, I ended my trip with a couple days in sunny San Diego.

Being there reminded me how much I love the beach, and inspired me to create more of the beachy hair waves look, even as we head into a Utah winter. I mean, why not bring in a little California sun and style to help us get through the snowy days ahead?

Besides that, I think sometimes we should work with the hair we have; stop fighting with it. We end up spending our days (or at least a few minutes) walking from home, to the car, to work - outside in the rain and wind and snow. It gets messed up anyway. We may as well go with the flow, or the flowy.

The best part is that waves create a great base of style that you can work with throughout the day, adapt as needed, even into a more styled look for evening.

It's so easy to get beachy waves in your hair. I have found many fun products that can help you achieve this look. But, it does take the right products, and the knowhow. I have those. I can show you. Or, at least tell you. Just send me an email.

Go ahead! Turn yourself into the beach babe you've always wanted to be. (Locals, I recommend holding off on the bikini for now though. At least until the snow melts. )

And, a little word about color...

Typically, we all tend to go a little darker in the Fall/Winter months, whether naturally, or by color. Coming from California recently, I've also been inspired to mix it up a bit. Put a lighter highlight in with your darker shade. I've done it on a few people already and it turned out gorgeous! (Nuthin' like patting yourself on the back, eh?) But really, the colors were so pretty. A perfect combination of both seasons. Plus, adding some warmer shades can give a great "sunny" effect without having to be light.

If you have questions on finding a combo color that works for you, email me. Or better yet, schedule a color consultation. We can give you some ideas to work with.

michelle@culturessalon.com

A Tiny Bit of Change

2008-10-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Isn't it funny that when we do something drastic like cut our long hair off, or put extensions in short hair, it's inevitable that it will take at least a week before people notice? On the other hand, sometimes we do a minor change and everyone notices right away.

A customer of mine recently told me that she's done all sorts of things with her hair and her husband never says anything, but when she got her eyebrows waxed, he was amazed. And loved it. And asked her if she was gonna keep it up.

Funny, but I think it's sometimes the little changes that improve us, not necessarily the big ones. I guess my point is that if you've been feeling a little icky, or bored, maybe all you need is a tiny little improvement.

Come reshape your eyebrows. Or tweek your color; maybe something that will enhance your skin tone for fall or winter. Get some new makeup ideas. Maybe some bangs; flattering on everyone! Or maybe all you need is a deep conditioning treatment to restore the shine back in your hair.

It really doesn't take much. If only losing a few pounds could be so easy!

Stuck in a Style Rut?

2008-10-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

Do you feel like you are caught in a style rut? If you agree wholeheartedly with that statement, now would be a perfect time to dig yourself out of it. The rut, that is.

People have been asking me lately, What's new for Fall?

In haircolor, "peachy" blondes are in. That means golden tones with hints of strawberry color -- just like a peach looks. Other haircolor will be earthier, deeper, richer, and full of shine. More auburns will be seen in warm, rich, natural tones. We will also see more hidden dimensional color, not obvious stripes.

Even Jennifer Anniston, who doesn't stray from her haircolor much, has recently added panels of a darker chocolate brown that shows when the hair moves.

With haircuts, they are all very versatile and there is something for every length. Cropped pixie, classic bob, and soft long feminine looks. All of these cuts will have texture and lots of layers and, yes, the trend of bangs is still going strong.

NEWS POST: Cultures Welcomes Robert Tanner, LMT

2008-10-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce the addition of Robert Tanner to our team and invite you to stop by and see our new facility.

Robert is a licensed massage therapist and a 2006 graduate of the Myotherapy College of Utah. He specializes in Swedish and Deep Tissue massage, and is also experienced in Pregnancy, Spinal Touch, and Injury care.

For more information about massage services, which start as low as $15, please call (801) 776-9229 or visit our Service Menu.

New Styling Products Help You Get Red Carpet Hairstyles

2008-09-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

They're here! The new Texture Expert styling products are in!

Why is this so exciting? If you happened to catch the Emmy's, you might have noticed that the hairstyles were, well, more styled.

Soft waves, curl, lots of shine. The styles now require more styling. If you don't want to spend the extra time, that's fine. There are solutions for you to still keep up with the trends without spending tons more time. BUT, all of the red carpet styles require using the right products.

This is where Texture Expert comes in. If you have always had a hard time finding the right product for your hair type, your problem is now solved. Texture Expert products are customized for your hair type. They have collections for each hair texture: fine hair, medium hair, and coarse hair.

Texture Expert styling products protect hair from heat; they give you more control to get the style you want; and they provide the hold you need to keep looking great all day, or all night.

What more could you ask for?

I Live, Breathe, and Eat Hair... Sometimes Literally

2008-09-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

I've been in this industry for 14 years. I've seen it evolve and, sadly, have been here long enough to see trends resurge.

I do have to admit it is my passion. I am constantly looking for ways to make my job easier and your life at home easier; and ways to make you feel better and look better. I'm always on the lookout for products that perform better. Things that make you look younger. Ways to cut and color hair to make your best features pop.

I'm always searching to see what's new, what's in style for the season. I want to be a step ahead to help you keep yourself up. To be the "go to" person for all your beauty related questions.

I live, breathe, and eat hair. Sometimes literally. Most restaurant patrons who find a hair in their food want to complain, stop eating, order something new. I usually figure it fell off me and keep going. I was at the eye doctor the other day and he asked me if one of my eyes was bothering me. I said no, not really. He then proceeded to pluck a hair out of my eye. He told me it looked like a cut piece of hair. Not my color. No big deal to me. I guess I'm just a part of my surroundings now, and they're a part of me.

Anyway, the whole point of this is to let you know if you have any questions about this industry, please ask! I don't think I know it all, but I know where to find it if I don't. Email your questions and I'll try to get back to them as soon as I can.

michelle@culturessalon.com

Cotton Candy and Caramel Apple for Your Feet?

2008-09-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, I went to the Eastern Idaho State Fair. It's held in my hometown -- the "Potato Capital of the World" -- Blackfoot, Idaho. (If you ever have a chance the week of Labor Day and want something interesting to do, I highly recommend it!)

I always look forward to it. It's a tradition. I think it's a perfect kick-off for fall season. It's an old-fashioned, down-home, good-time-for-all kind of fair. Fun for all ages. I go there every year, basically for the food. So much good food I'm gaining 20 lbs just thinking about it. They have Tigers Ears, Tortatoes, Potato Ice Cream, Fresh Corn on the Cob, Fried Everything, and, last but not least, Caramel Apples and Cotton Candy!

I thought that maybe I could bring a little piece of my hometown nostalgia back to Utah with me. You can experience a little of my culture, and kick off your fall season with our Caramel Apple and Cotton Candy pedicures. It may sound funny, but they smell really DELICIOUS, and they really bring that old-fashioned fair atmosphere to the salon. Plus, spa pedicures are calorie-free.

We hope to see you soon!

NEWS POST: Wedding Bells for Makelle

2008-08-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

August 28th marked a special day for Makelle, Cultures stylist. She married her sweetie Justin Pratt and officially became Makelle Riley Pratt.

She looked beautiful in her white gown with pink sash. And the makeup and hair were absolutely gorgeous, compliments of Michelle. Love that color!

The couple honeymooned in California and will make their home in Layton.
Congratulations to Makelle and Justin!

Grow Old Gracefully?

2008-08-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

No thanks.

I plan on fighting it every step of the way. Why not take advantage of all the technology that's available and slow the clock, even if just a little? Why not look as young as I feel?

Take grey hair for instance. My mom started going grey in her mid-20's. I have a few sisters that started young as well. Lucky for me, I work in beauty. I learn about the new technologies to slow the aging process, or at least how to perfect the tricks to disguise it. So am I going to just let grey happen? No way!

Research about reversing the greying process, backed by L'Oreal, was published back in 2006. At the time, they predicted that a pill or cream would be on the market within 5 years to reverse grey hair. Well, they were right! In May of this year, Joico came out with their Renu line of anti-aging products which included a serum to reverse grey. Our Renu products arrived in our salon on May 7, 2008. I began using the serum on May 8th. No delay there. I mean, come on. We're talking about grey hair.

And, does it work? You know it! Works like a charm. Just recently I wondered that same thing myself. I had been using the stuff for just over two months (they say it takes 4-6 to see the reversal). As I was getting my hair done, one of my employees saw a grey hair and plucked it out of my head. Normally when they find a single grey strand, my heart sinks. But this time, you could have seen me grinning all the way up in Idaho (a little shout out to my hometown). That little strand of hair was grey, up until the last quarter inch or so. The part closest to the root had pigment! I was so excited I dropped the strand on the salon floor. We spent the better part of five minutes or so looking for it. I guess I thought it would be cool to laminate it, or scrapbook it, or something. I never did find it. But it's just as well. I don't scrapbook anyway. At least I know that my serum is working.

Now, if you happen to know me when I'm 90 years old, and if I happen to mention that I'm still using the anti-grey serum... Please. Sit me down. Have an intervention. But for now, I'm going to fight aging every step of the way!

New Beauty Blog By Michelle

2008-08-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

Well, we did it. We finally convinced Michelle to do a little blogging (in all of her spare time!) about some of the beauty questions we get, and any other advice, tips, or observations that may be helpful to the beauties that we call clients here at Cultures. Look for her first post this week!

NEWS POST: Clearfield City Newsletter Features Cultures

2008-05-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Featured Clearfield Business: Cultures Salon

"Here at Cultures, Michelle and I wanted to create a comfortable environment, a place that wasn’t so fancy that you felt out of place,” explained Annemarie. “We try to cater to regular people, and give them a little luxury.”

Michelle agrees. “We don’t want our clients to feel rushed when they come here. We have provided an atmosphere where they can relax. A retreat, if you will.”

Annemarie Barlow has a marketing and sales background and handles the administrative operations of running Cultures. Michelle is a licensed cosmetologist and has an extensive background as a salon consultant for industry manufacturers.

“Many of our core philosophies were developed during the years that Michelle was a salon consultant, going into hundreds of salons and seeing the skill level of their stylists and how their clients were treated,” explained Annemarie. “We focus on not just “doing” the services, but actually helping people improve the condition of their hair, feet, hands, and body. Our pedicures, color services, and many of our other services include several steps and products that other places skip. We offer spa quality services without the spa prices.”

The soothing décor of Cultures is no accident – cottage country in pale pink, soft blue and white, with a pleasing mixture of both modern and antique furniture and artwork surrounds you. All signs of the former print shop operation have been remodeled away.

Cultures Salon/Day Spa offers many unique services including European facials, Sinus Relief Treatments, Tired Leg Treatment, Swedish massage (from 30 - 90 minutes), a maternity massage, spa pedicures and manicures, make-up application (Mirabella mineral line) and a two-hour Mini-Retreat which includes a facial, deep conditioning treatment for your tresses, a pedicure or manicure. Visit their website for a complete listing of their services, products and prices at http://www.culturessalon.com/.

“Small groups can book our salon for a special girls’ night out,” explained Annemarie. “A private party, such as friends or family can book our salon for a spa experience just for them.” A great birthday, shower, pre-wedding, or “just because” idea!

Cultures Salon hair clients receive a complimentary scalp massage, tired eye treatment, and hand massage. Each season they offer a Pedicure of the Month, such as Lemonade or Coconut Lime for summer, Watermelon for spring, Red Hot Cinnamon for the dreary days of winter, or Caramel Apple for fall.

Cultures Salon/Day Spa/Supply is located at 360 S. State Street. To make an appointment for any of their services call (801)776-9229. Gift certificates are available for all occasions.

NEWS POST: Anti Aging Gracefully: Gray is Not the New Blonde

2008-05-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

What do most of us really hate about getting older? Graying Hair.

Salon products have finally begun to address aging hair. But, besides haircolor, stylists have not been able to offer real solutions for those who don’t want to grow old gracefully.

That will change in May, 2008. A brand new technology, available through your local salon, will not only improve the texture and appearance of aging hair, but with regular use, it has also been shown to reduce the amount of new gray growth, and actually reverse the observable amount of gray hair, restoring natural color by encouraging the growth of pigmented hair.

This new scalp treatment is also an ideal preventative strategy for those who have not yet begun to go gray.

And, even better, it is a scalp treatment that men or women can do on their own, at home.

• In two-to-six weeks, clients notice a healthier scalp, improved body and fullness, and hair that looks and feels younger and more alive.

• After two-to-six months, clients observe a reduction in the amount of new gray growth.

• After six months or more of regular use, tests show that Re:nual Serum can reverse the graying process and actually restore the natural hair color, radiance and shine.

To learn more about this new technology and about how aging affects hair, please contact Cultures Salon & Day Spa.

Cultures is co-owned by Michelle Lindsay, a hair colorist and former salon consultant with over 14 years in the industry.