Here’s why it’s important to come to your color appointment with clean hair.

Why clean hair is better

1. Even Color Application: Clean hair allows for an even distribution of hair color, ensuring that the dye is applied uniformly. This helps prevent patchy or uneven results.

2. Better Adherence: Clean hair has fewer residues like oils, products, and environmental pollutants, which can hinder the color's adherence to the strands. This results in a longer-lasting and more vibrant color.

3. Accurate Color Matching: Clean hair provides a clear canvas for colorists to assess your natural hair color accurately. This helps them choose the right shade to achieve your desired look.

4. Balanced Porosity: Clean hair generally has balanced porosity, meaning the color can penetrate the hair shaft more evenly. This results in consistent color absorption and better color results.

5. Reduced Irritation: Coloring products can sometimes irritate the scalp. Clean hair reduces the risk of irritation as there are no lingering residues that might react with the coloring chemicals.

Maintain your blonde hair this summer.

Maintaining blonde hair requires attention and care to keep it vibrant and healthy. Here are five tricks to help you maintain your blonde hair:

1. Use Purple Shampoo: Incorporate a purple or violet-toned shampoo into your hair care routine. Purple shampoos help neutralize brassy or yellow tones that can develop in blonde hair over time. Use it once or twice a week to maintain a cool, icy blonde shade.

2. Minimize Heat Styling: Excessive heat styling can damage blonde hair, making it more prone to breakage and dullness. Minimize the use of heat tools like flat irons and curling irons. When using them, apply a heat protectant spray and use the lowest heat setting necessary to achieve your desired style.

3. Deep Conditioning Treatments: Blondes often have more porous hair, which can make it prone to dryness and frizz. Incorporate deep conditioning treatments into your routine to nourish and hydrate your hair. Look for products specifically formulated for color-treated or damaged hair.

4. Protect from UV Rays: Sun exposure can cause fading and brassiness in blonde hair. Protect your hair from harmful UV rays by wearing hats or using UV-protective hair products. Consider using leave-in conditioners or hair oils with UV filters to shield your hair from the sun's damaging effects.

5. Regular Trims: Maintain the health and appearance of your blonde hair by getting regular trims every 6-8 weeks. Trimming helps remove split ends and prevents breakage, keeping your hair looking fresh and preventing it from looking dull or frayed.

Remember to consult with a professional hairstylist who can provide personalized advice based on your specific hair type, condition, and color. They can recommend products and techniques tailored to your blonde hair's unique needs to ensure it stays vibrant and beautiful.

Things to consider before going blonde..

Things To Consider Before Going Blonde 

Going blonde is not always an easy task. Sometimes it can take 2-4 lightening sessions to get you where you’d like to be. Each session usually takes 2-4 hours depending on your length, denisty and starting colour/colour history.

Let’s talk maintenance. To maintain your beautiful blonde locks once you get to the desired level of blonde. You’ll need to come in every 8-10 weeks for an express or partial colour. every 3rd visit should be a full service.

Products are a very important part in going blonde. You’ll need to ensure you have a good mix of strengthening, restorative and toning products in your daily routine. Heat protection as well as masques will also be essential to keeping your blonde hair strong. Our favourite daily blonde shampoo is Gold Lust repair and restore shampoo/conditioner.

Expectations are always a tough one. We see so many bright and beautiful blondes online and we all think.. “I WANT THAT!” but the reality is we have to consider a few things. One, what is our starting point and what is our goal? When you lighten hair it can only lift so many level in one session. Secondly would be hair history. What have you done/put on your hair for the last 5-8 years? because depending on the length the years really matter. Having clear and open communication about expectations is the key to any lightening service.

You hair may feel PARCHED after going blonde. You need to make sure you give it moisture just like you do to your skin.

You may need to switch up your blush, bronzer or make-up routine depending on how blonde you go. If you opt for a warmer blonde your likely okay, but most blondes want ASH and ash can wash your skin tone out.

There are so many techniques to get you blonde. Make sure you ask your pro stylist about all the methods and choose what’s best for your budget, lifestyle and finished result.

Enjoy blondies,

Are you washing your hair too much?

Why is washing your hair too much of a problem? One of the most commonly asked questions in a hair salon about salon shampoo. We’ve got the answers.

The more you wash your hair, the more you are stripping all of the natural oils from your scalp and hair. The more you wash your hair, the more you are putting heat on it. The hot water also opens your cuticles and strips anything out on the surface, as well. if we are constantly doing this - your hair is going to become extremely dry, thirsty and damaged. Of course any salon you go to, we always suggest using salon shampoo. Now, How much shampoo should i use? The best way to get good use out of your salon shampoo is to start with a small amount and add water into your hair as your massaging it into the scalp. Adding water as you scrub will create more spreadability and you’ll get more use. We always suggest a second wash. The first wash is the lift all the dirt and oils off, the second is truly for a deep clean.

Now let’s get to the scalp issues it will cause if you wash your hair too often. . . Washing away your natural oils triggers your skin cells to PRODUCE MORE OILS. Which in turn creates a very unhealthy balance on the scalp. Your hair becomes oily, faster and more often. Salon shampoo with moisture content in it will help with this issue as well. Just like your dry ends, your scalp also needs moisture to keep it from over producing.

Here are a few small tips to help you get out of this habit:

• Use dry shampoo on the day you wash your hair, this will help extend the wash days.

• How much Shampoo should I use? the size of a nickle or quarter for each wash.

• Opt for a CONDITIONING WASH. Yes you heard me. That is a wash that gently (not completely) washes your hair but is HIGH in moisture so it leaves some natural oils and leaves your hair feeling conditioned.

• Try extending your wash days as much as you can. Start with one day and use the dry shampoo method. You can work your way up to two to three days extended, once your scalp gets balanced out from over producing oils.

HACKS FOR DRY SCALP AND DRY HAIR.

I want you to think of your skin care routine when you think of your scalp and hair. Just like your skin, your hair needs exfoliation and lots of moisture. We have a saying as hairstylists. “healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp.” If your hormones or PH balance is off it will always show up on your face (usually pimples) and scalp. Find yourself a gentle yet effective scalp scrub - this one is our fav.

Exfoliation should only happen once, maybe twice a week max. After you exfoliate this is your time to put moisture back into your scalp and hair. I recommend something that has lots of fine high quality ingredients like shea butters, lavender oils and any seed extracts that help calm and moisten the skin on the scalp. Usually you’ll want to do this once a week so your dryness goes away. If the winter months make that hard then change it to twice a week.

One key tip is to always scrub and massage your scalp with purpose. Blood flow is so important to a healthy scalp we often forget to really massage ourselves and rub vigorously.

One of my favs deep conditioning for dry scalp is this conditioner right here.

Once the dryness goes away, it’s time to switch up your hair care again.

PS. don’t forget to moisturize those ends daily, too!

5 things all brunettes need to know for fall and winter.

Looking to spice up your brunette hair this winter? whether You’re Brunette women, Bronde, Bright Copper, Warm Caramel Highlights, Shadow Roots, or adding Lowlights for depth. These are all great options to add in depth to your colour for the cooler seasons.

• Due to the colours outside we usually see guests going darker with hair colours. This means it’s time to change that bright blonde to a nude blonde or even dark beige blonde hair will help with your complection. It’s important to consider if your complimentary colours are warmer or cooler.

• In fall your wardrobe changes and your complexion usually changes right along with the fashion so we suggest warmer or deeper hair colours to add in contrast even a dark golden brown hair will add warmth back into your skin and eyes through the months to come. Warmer, deeper hair colours will boost your confidence like your tan does in the summer. Not into warmth? Not to worry. Nude blondes, and ash brunettes are still very much in fashion and will keep you still on the natural side.

• Since you aren’t sweating so much- yes I said sweating! You can take a break from washing your hair as much. Try your best to wash your hair 1-2 times a week instead of 3-4 times a week. Feeling cold? Trust me we are too. But take it easy on the really hot water. Hot water can wash your dark golden brown hair right out and it is very damaging. If you hair is very fine and fragile, this must be a top priority for your hair this fall and winter.

• Switch up your shampoo regime with a colour enhancing and protective shampoo and Conditioner. Here are our favourites that we love at Rootbar Salon. We suggest swapping whatever your using for something that has more moisture and protective properties. Winter here in Canada can be extremely dry and yes, you guessed it. Your dark golden brown hair will also become extremely dry and brittle with the colder weather.

• Add in a moisturizer - similar to morning and night cream. This will help with any dry and cold weather and help your hair stay healthy this fall and winter. We suggest using hair oils or light weight leave in conditioners for your hair. Treat your hair like you do your skin care and you’ll lock will thank you for it later. Try adding the moisture in before leaving the house in the morning (mids to ends of hair) and then add some more in, in the evening (mids to ends again).

Let the change in seasons inspire a new hair colour, a new self care routine and most importantly keep your hair full of life.

5 things all blondes need to know for fall

5 Ways for blondes to transition into fall.  So they Still feel blonde but not compromise their hair when it comes back to spring hair.  

• Toning…. Toner is the easiest way to change your blonde without compromising it.

• Buying proper products especially with the dry, harsh weather - add in the high moisture shampoo/conditioner as well as switch from oils to creams (creams are heavier)

• Lowlights add dimension without completely changing your hair and/or its integrity.

• Make sure you add in a cut or a dusting for your blonde ends. Haircuts are so important for integrity.

• Treatments will help protect your hair before the colour does damage, as well as give you a boost during a dry season like your winter skin care regime. Strengthen and help rejuvenate the hair. Bringing the life back into the hair looking fresh and shiny. SHOP TREATMENTS HERE

Why time is VALUABLE to your hairstylist

WHY A HAIRSTYLISTS TIME IS SO IMPORTANT

First off I want to start by thanking all of our clients who already respect our time and are understanding that we are all far from perfect. A little kindness goes a long way.

With everything becoming more readily available at the click of a button, it’s hard to set boundaries and respect; especially when you don’t really know who is at the other end. Which is why it is always important to be patient and kind (It’s been a challenging few years).

So let me help educate you on why a hairstylist's time is just as important as your doctors, dentist, chiro ect. Maybe it will help everyone become more understanding of our perspective, as well as shed some new light on all personal service etiquette.

I might come off as a bit blunt but I don't want to sugarcoat the importance of this message, considering the last stressful, confusing, unkind year we've had.

First of all these girls don’t do hair as a hobby, it is their career. As much as I would love to say we don’t depend on stability, we do rely on it (just like most businesses). These girls are putting their trust in you to show up to your appointments so that they can pay their bills. Did you know the average no-show rate typically ranges from 10-15%, that's a lot of unnecessary revenue loss. This is a perspective we all easily forget as we have our own bills to pay.

However, it is not always about the bills, they are also missing out on fulfilling their passions. When a client no shows or comes late to their appointment it puts a damper on their day; No matter how good we are at hiding it. It causes hairstylists to feel under-appreciated and taken advantage of; And from there on out a loss of productivity and distrust. Furthermore, if a hairstylist decides to still do your hair after you're more than 20 minutes late, it can cause them to run behind for their other clients or a rushed appointment; Which could leave you feeling unsatisfied with your service. A personal service appointment is just as consequential as being late/not showing up for school or a doctor's appointment.

When a client does not show up we can't just fill that spot within 5 minutes, therefore, we are left to do nothing for that allotted time. All we can do is wait and wait hoping for you to turn up or call. This is why we have chosen a 48 hour cancellation policy and a text 48 hours before to confirm your coming. So a hairstylist has time to fill that spot with someone who can make that appointment.

I get it, life happens. We are human too; but as a personal service our time is money. Not only does not showing up or canceling last minute affect our income and mood it destroys trust between a client and her hairdresser. I know it’s uncommon but as much as a client can say no to a hairstylist, we are also allowed to set boundaries. Sometimes our own perspectives can interfere with how we value other people's time.

This is why it's important to book appointments when you know you can make them, hence the power of pre-booking. Not only does it build more loyalty and trust between a client and her hairstylist, it also increases productivity, fuels their desire to succeed in their passions and decreases distractions.

In general respecting a stylist's time can help lift everyone in the community. Sometimes, especially lately, we tend to forget how we affect each other; and with a little bit of kindness and understanding we can learn to respect each other's time. I also want to thank those who already do, you make the world a better place.

Written by: Shaelyn Groves 2022

Easy To Maintain Blonde Hair

Here’s the tea - we know it costs money to be blonde and let’s be even more honest, we know that it’s nothing short of high maintenance. Here is a qucik inside look at easy to maintain blonde hair.

With the trends ever growing with different techniques such as— Balayage, hand painting, foilyage, babylights, lived-in blonde and many more it’s hard to even understand what to book let alone how to maintain the look you are going for. The easiest blonde with the least amount of maintenance is to opt for a more lived in look. Lived in looks are easy to maintain because it incorporates your natural roots into the look. When you keep your natural, it can grow naturally.

The good news is, is Rootbar salon has an answer for you. We have of course a full service salon for all of your blonding needs and we’d love to get you in for the full meal deal so we can just start maintaining your blonde easily with the best service ever. It’s easy to maintain your blonde hair with an express or lots of menu options.

Express toner.

Express toner is up to 10 foils and a toner refresh that will help keep your balayage, foilayage, babylights, hand painted looking fresh every single time. This is recommended to maintain your blonde hair every 4-8 weeks in-between visits. This service not only takes an hour but it ranges from $80-$100 all in. We truly believe that express services are the future for guests and our industry. Maintaining your hair should be more accessible for everyone.

This is a great option so you can stop coming in twice a year spending 3-4 hours in the chair and spending $400+ every time. This way you can come every 6-8 weeks for an hour appointment and your blonde will look fresh ALL THE TIME.

Also the “bigger” appointments won’t be such a big overhaul either. win win.

Hope to see you in our salon soon for any of your blonding needs to fit your lifestyle.