Happy Earth Month friends! Roma from Salon Society here on the blog today to talk about everything eco! I am a hippie trapped in a concrete jungle and do everything I can to ensure I am eco-friendly and sustainable. One of the things I love most about working in an eco-friendly salon is a shared belief that environmental consciousness is incredibly important, both at work and at home. Here are some of the ways we strive to be earth-friendly!

​Green Circle Salons' website has TONS of great information about how salon waste can be recycled through their program. It's pretty crazy and inspiring - check it out!

With so many ways to be environmentally-friendly, we want to know: what are your favourites?? 
​Let us know in the comments!

• MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE!
  • Proper moisturizing will extend the life of your tan and prevent uneven fading
  • Wait to start moisturizing until after your first shower
  • Hempz lotion is a great choice for post-tan moisturizing!
• Your spray tan artist will tell you how long to wait until you can shower following your spray tan. DO NOT SHOWER until this time has elapsed!! Our solutions have varying processing times.
• Your first shower after your spray tan will be a warm water rinse only. Do not use any bar soap or body/face cleansers as your colour is still processing.
  • After your shower, pat gently on your skin to dry - do not wipe/rub
  • ​When showering off your spray tan, you may notice the water colour changing - please don't panic, this colour is just the bronzer washing off your body.
• Avoid swimming and excessive sweating for at least 12 hours after you have had your first rinse
• Your colour will be developed to its fullest in 24 hours

Products to avoid: Bar soaps, mineral oil (baby oil), Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), hair removal creams, Chlorine, body scrubs, lotions with alcohol (check your ingredients - you'd be surprised how many popular brands contain alcohol - *cough* Bath & Body Works).

Hello beautiful people! With summer just around the corner, we are very excited to be bringing on a new service at Salon Society... Spray Tanning!

Visit our pre- and post-care tips for your sunless tan here!

Spray tanning is a safe, quick way to get a bronzed glow or deep tan, depending on your preference. Here is some info you might not already know about this awesome new service:
​

• What product is used? Is it chemicals?
  We use AG Sunless Tanning products, which is a Canadian company based in Saskatchewan - just like us! Their products are made with ingredients that are earth-friendly as well as skin-friendly. They contain no preservative chemicals and are vegan, nut-free, scent-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, anti-ageing, contain no false cosmetic bronzers, AND are infused with vitamins A, B, C and D to nourish skin. With all these amazing features, a spray tan really becomes a skin treatment!
  
  AG Sunless Tanning products are quick-drying and do leave your skin feeling wet or sticky. Most clients can get dressed in just minutes following their spray tan!
  
  
• Is it the same as a tanning bed?
  In short - no! While using a tanning bed takes many sessions and presents a risk of skin cancer, spray tans give instant results and are safe. They are also excellent for those with fair skin tones or sensitive skin who may not see results from tanning beds. Spray tans are also pregnancy-safe!
  
  Read more about the differences in our blog post here!
  ​
• What should I wear to my appointment?
  Wear loose, dark clothing to spray tan appointments. Our solutions should not stain clothing or bed sheets - if you do see some transfer, toss it in the wash!
  ​
• Do I have to get naked?
  However you are most comfortable is what is best for you! It is your call; anything you do wear will leave a perfect tan line. If you want NO tan lines, it is recommended to wear nothing for your spray tan.
  
  Some people feel best in a tank top and underwear, some want to be nude - it is completely up to you! We see all types of bodies - our salon is always a no-judgement zone.
  ​
• How does it work?
  Here is a basic rundown of how a spray tan appointment typically goes:
  1) After arriving at the salon, you will be brought to a private room where you will meet your sunless tan artist and discuss what you are looking for.
  2) The sunless tan artist will leave you to undress to your comfort level.
  3) Your sunless tan artist will return when you are ready and walk you through the tan process. Our spray tans are applied manually, using a professional airbrush machine with a custom-mixed colour for your needs.
  4) Once your tan is applied, you will be asked about the finished colour, in case you want additional layers for a deeper colour.
  5) You will be dried using the airbrush machine, and then left to redress in loose clothing.
  6) Your spray tan artist will explain the aftercare instructions including shower times.
  7) If it is raining when you leave, we will have an umbrella to escort you to your vehicle!
  
  Following your spray tan: Avoid ALL types of liquid on your skin for at least 4 hours or until the time you rinse off. This means NO washing dishes, showering, sweating, lotion, perfume, or crying (LOL we mean it - only smiles on spray tan day!). 

We carry FIVE different dry shampoos - So I am here to give you the dirty and answer all your questions on keeping your hair fresh and clean between washes! 

​If you're in the process of stretching the days between washing your hair, dry shampoo is the way to go.​ Not only does it keep your hair fresh, it helps to add volume and texture!

Our Dry Shampoos:

1. FRESH.HAIR – Kevin Murphy
2. Perfect hair Day™ – Living Proof
3. Jet Lag Invisible - IGK
4. Direct Flight Matcha - IGK
5. First Class Charcoal - IGK

• What is the difference between these salon-quality dry shampoos and drug store brands?
  ​Because drug store brands are created to be relatively inexpensive, those brands often cut corners by adding chemicals and fillers, which sit on your hair and cause build-up over time. When you use a salon-quality dry shampoo, the ingredients help to actually clean the dirt and build-up off of your hair instead of piling on.

• When and how much should I use?
  I like to spray some on before I work out at the gym or before I go to sleep so that it can get to work in the meantime! If you will be wearing a hat or toque, spray some dry shampoo in your hair ahead of time to absorb grease while you're wearing it.
  
  Start with a quick spritz and add more as you feel you need. More doesn't hurt! Another game-changer is the ability to choose which level of cleansing you're needing when you buy!
  
  
• What is meant by level of cleansing?
  IGK's dry shampoos come in three different cleansing strengths - so there is something for everyone!
  If you are looking for a nice gentle refresh, Jet Lag is formulated with volcanic ash and is perfect for light touch-ups - it's invisible!
  The mid-level cleanse, Direct Flight, is made with matcha, turmeric, and charcoal to lift buildup and dirt.
  The deepest cleanse will come from First Class, which detoxes hair with charcoal and soothes the scalp with white tea powder.
  
  
• Which dry shampoo is curly girl approved?
  Our resident curly specialist, Tyler, says that FRESH.HAIR is definitely his pick for curly hair, because it is essentially ANGEL.WASH in powder form. It was originally designed for backpackers to be able to spray on and wipe off with a wet towel!
  
  
• Which dry shampoo is best for dark hair/doesn’t leave white residue?
  I personally don't find the Perfect hair Day dry shampoo leaves any residue in my hair, but some of the other brunettes in our salon prefer Kevin Murphy's FRESH.HAIR. The cake-like scent of FRESH.HAIR is super popular, but if you're looking for a more gender-neutral option, Jet Lag Invisible by IGK is a great universal choice!
  
  
• Which dry shampoo is best for men?
  Honestly, all of the dry shampoos smell amazing and the scents are very gender-neutral, especially with the IGK line!

If you have more questions or need help choosing the best dry shampoo for your hair, send me a message on Instagram!

Until next time!
- Shanna