Shanda from Eccotique Salon demonstrates how to acheive beautiful waves with your flat iron. It’s so simple and looks incredible! Give it a try.

If you aren’t feeling brave enough to dye your hair an outrageous colour this season…no problem. Everything goes for spring whether it’s bold hues or tousled knots. My advice to you is to not try too hard or at least try hard to make it look like you didn’t try too hard.

Spring 2012 runways were filled with shiny hair, dripping wet styles, laid back tangles and effortless waves. In my opinion, the perfect accompaniment to all these nonchalant do’s is a glossy, healthy, natural looking hair colour. Embrace your natural! I mean why wouldn’t you? Au naturel will not be trending forever so do it while you can.

I know, I know, I told you not to try too hard but that doesn’t mean I’m recommending letting your roots grow out. To get back to your beautifully natural colour, I suggest bringing your stylist a photo of your original hair colour unless you have re-growth in which case the stylist will be able to match that. To achieve a natural colour fast I recommend trying L’Oreal Professionnel’s Dia Richesse offered at all Eccotique Salon locations. Dia is an ammonia-free demi permanent colour that results in rich, glossy and extremely natural looking hair and the best part…little to no maintenance.

So let’s review. This season it’s cool to have unexpected colour, wet, tangled hair, effortless styles and natural hues. Spring 2012 you rock!

Today I thought I’d write about that little piece of metal you cannot live without. The infamous bobby pin. My inspiration for this blog post was Bumble and bumble’s Pin Tin, a bobby pin pack that the company recently launched with 4 types of pins to help secure every style.

For centuries, the bobby pin has played a supporting role in every woman’s hair. Whether it be invisible or visible, some of the greatest styles to date relied heavily on the simple invention made popular in the 1920’s. Trending right now is the exposed bobby pin. Stylists are strategically placing the pins outside the hair creating a metal masterpiece perfect for the runway or a night out on the town. I’ve put together some easy styling ideas using pins. You’ll notice I’ve suggested a pin size for each style from the Pin Tin Style Guide above.

1. The faux bob

• Set your hair in hot rollers or curl your hair with a flat iron
• Run your fav argan oil through the hair to loosen and soften up the curls
• Swoop the excess hair underneath and secure it with 2.5” pins clipped in X shapes lining the bottom of your head horizontally

2. The loose chignon

• Part your hair where you would normally part it
• Pull all of your hair to one side and create 2 ponytails, one in each hand
• Tie a loose knot with the 2 sections
• Wrap the piece on the right around and pin it with a 2” hair pin
• Repeat with the left piece of hair to form a bun

3. Visible bobby pins

• Do a hairstyle of your choosing
• Finish by accenting with several 2” bobby pins making sure they are fully exposed

4. The neck revealer

• Make a deep side part
• Pull all of the hair to one side ensuring it is smooth
• Slide in 4 2.5” pins vertically at the nape of your neck to keep hair over your shoulder
• Spray with a high hold hairspray to finish

5. The high bun

• Make a high ponytail and secure it with a hair elastic
• Backcomb the hair doing little
  sections at a time
• Lightly comb out the hair and separate into 2 sections
• Wrap one section of the hair clockwise and secure it with a 3” bobby pin
• Repeat with the other section of hair wrapping it counter clockwise
• Secure the bun with a few 3” bobby pins
• Spray with a high hold hair spray

Purchase your very own Pin Tin for $12.95 at Eccotique Salon. That’s it for pins…give these styles a try! I’d like to say thank you to the bobby pin for all that you’ve done for my hair over the years. Couldn’t live without ya!

If you haven’t had a treatment before, you’ve got to try it! Kérastase treatments are not just for people with damaged hair. Kérastase offers several different types designed to address all kinds of hair concerns. Whether you’re looking for less frizz, more shine, intense hydration or extreme smoothness…Kérastase has a treatment for you. Stop by Eccotique Salon to get your treatment for only $30.

Do you always have an elastic band around your wrist in the event that your hair might not look as nice as it did when you left the house? Take your look from functional to fashionable and “do the twist” with this quick and easy hair style.

All you need is:

A hair elastic
2 bobby pins
A brush (optional)

1. No matter where your part is, split your hair into two vertical sections
2. Twist the section on the left in an upwards motion until it reaches the middle of the back of your head
3. Secure this twisted section with your elastic band as though you’re tying a ponytail.
4. Twist the second section on the right in an upwards motion until it reaches the middle of the back of your head
5. Once your second twist meets up with the first, wrap it over and around where you have tied the hair elastic
6. Now twist both sections together creating one big twist
7. Using your first bobby pin, tuck the twist under and secure it below where you have tied your hair elastic
8. Finally use your second bobby pin to flatten the bump on top of where you have tied your hair elastic

This takes only seconds longer then tying your hair in a ponytail! Be functional, fashionable and more feminine – do the twist!

I recommend adding a ribbon or accessory in your favourite colour to really take this look to the next level!

With all this frigid air and wet weather, it’s hard to believe that spring is just around the corner. Ahhh spring! In my opinion the perfect season to freshen and renew your locks with an unexpected colour. The runways were filled with a variety of styles and colours for 2012, but we thought we’d zone in on one colour trend in particular this week. BOLD HUES!

Red, blue, yellow, orange, pink, purple and teal are all popular for spring. Here’s how we suggest adding that extra pop of colour to your hair:

Over the top ombre: If you loved the look of last year’s ombre and aren’t ready to give it up, you’re in luck! Ombre is still in but this year it’s all about extremes. Try dying those ends red or for a bolder look try bleaching your hair blonde and adding a bright colour to the tips.

Funky feathering: Adding gradual streaks of colour to your ends or fringe will create a feathered look that is to dye for. I would suggest trying 3 or 4 colours for impactful results.

Stand out streaks: Add a few streaks of colour throughout your hair. Get creative! Coloured streaks look great when braided.

Aren’t ready to commit to an exaggerated colour? No problem. Eccotique Salon sells a chalk based hair shadow called Color.Bug by Kevin Murphy that comes in a variety of colours perfect for testing out new ideas. You could also purchase and colour extensions. No matter what you do with your hair this season, make sure you have fun with it!!

photo credit: 1. unknown 2. Hermes 3. unknown

If you’re anything like me you love braids! In fact, I am obsessed with braids. Clean or messy, a braid always works. So when the ribbon braid started trending, I was ecstatic! It takes the braid to a whole other level. After much trial and error, I have come up with a written tutorial on how to easily achieve the totally cute textured braid.

        1. The fabric/textile you choose is key. You don’t necessarily have to choose ribbon; in fact I encourage you not to. Find a strip of fabric that inspires you. I find textiles with a unique pattern or texture usually work best. Remember to make sure it suits the outfit you’re wearing. You will need to gage the material width based on the type of braid you are planning on doing. If you are braiding all of your hair, the fabric should be no wider than 3 inches depending on your hair amount and thickness.

        2. Decide on the type of braid you want. Whether it be the traditional, french, fishtail, milkmaid or reverse braid, adding fabric will work.

        3. Cut the piece of fabric/textile about double the length of your longest strand of hair. Thick material for a thick braid and thin material for a thin braid.

        4. Tie the fabric to your hair under the pieces of hair you’re going to braid so that the knot is not visible. I find a double knot works best. If the knot slips down the hair simply secure it with a bobby pin.

        5. Braid your hair the way you’d like it.

        6. Secure the end of the braid with clear elastic.

        7. Cut off any excess fabric.

        8. I like to loosen my braid a bit to achieve that slightly messy look.

Give it a try! I promise you’re going to love it.

Be good to yourself,