Hey there! Hope here from Salon Society! Today I am so excited to talk about a new membership program we have developed at Salon Society that is near and dear to my heart: The SASO Acne Bootcamp. 

Acne and breakouts have always been a sensitive topic for me. At the age of 12 I started dealing with cystic, hormonal acne. Cystic acne is painful, inflamed acne that forms deep under the skin. It is incredibly painful, visually noticeable, often causes scarring, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and a whole host of other issues.​ I tried all the trending products from Clean & Clear, the infamous St. Ives Apricot scrub, and all the home remedies - but nothing helped and lots made it worse. I visited a dermatologist multiple times but unfortunately I didn’t receive the treatment or advice I needed to heal my skin. Instead I was given high-percentage products that sensitized my already sensitive skin and added to the pain and struggle. These experiences left me feeling hopeless, frustrated, and feeling completely left in the dark. For a long time I was insecure and bullied for the appearance of my skin. Acne is something I struggled with then and something I continue to deal with today. 
I needed someone to be supportive, understanding, and knowledgeable in a judgment-free atmosphere - and that’s what I hope to bring to others with this new program!


Introducing the SASO Acne Bootcamp: a fully customizable treatment plan to help reach skin goals at-home and in the treatment room. The Acne Bootcamp is characterized by 4 elements:

1. Professional Facials 
   
   Biweekly scheduled facials for 8 weeks targeting individual needs offered at a discounted package price. These facial treatments will kickstart skin healing and introduce clients to professional products, ingredients, and techniques. 
   
   
   
2. Setting you up for Success
   
   A major component of skin care is of course home care! That is why we are offering 20% off Dermalogica recommended products to Acne Bootcamp members for the 8-week membership duration. The goal is to set our clients up for success and ensure they have the tools they need to achieve their goals! 
   
   
   
3. Coaching and Support 
   
   Struggling with acne is truly just that, A Struggle. I personally understand this and will be available for support, coaching, guidance, and questions along the way! I want to be the person who is there for you, the person that I always wished I was there for me. 
   
   
   
4. Looking to the Future 
   
   Following the Acne Bootcamp we offer special discounted membership pricing for follow-up treatments for 6 months! The follow-up treatments include custom facials, with the goal to continue to treat remaining acne and improve skin health. As well as treatments such as dermaplaning and microneedling which require the skin to be free of active acne before they can be done. 

The program can be purchased on our online boutique or in-store! Still have questions? Send me a DM at @hopeatsalonsociety on Instagram + Facebook or book in to see me for a Complimentary Skincare Consultation & let’s chat! 

​Hi friends, Dani here! As a massage therapist for over 10 years, sometimes I forget that some people have never had a massage before! So I wanted to give a breakdown of what goes on during your first massage for anyone who is nervous or just plain curious. 
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BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT

A waiver and questions about your current and past health issues will be sent to you online.


WHEN YOU ARRIVE

Once in the treatment room, I will ask what areas you are wanting to work on - this can be things like… your neck and shoulders have been sore from working at a desk, your lower back is sore from painting a wall, you are seeking massage following a sports injury, etc. To confirm that it is safe to proceed with your massage, we will discuss some further questions, including how much pressure you prefer - it’s okay if you are not sure!


GETTING SETTLED

Something that many clients are unsure about is how much to undress! While I will let you know what is best for the treatment,it is always up to you to choose to take off as much or as little as you are comfortable with. Before I leave the room for a few minutes to let you undress in private, I will tell you the best way to get settled on the massage bed underneath the sheet provided.


​THE MASSAGE

After a few minutes have passed, I will knock to make sure you are ready before re-entering the room.  After washing my hands, I expose only the parts of your body that require massage - nothing will ever be exposed that isn’t necessary. I always start with light/relaxation pressure to warm up the area before using heavier pressure. As soon as I start deepening the pressure, I will ask how it feels. Ideally, we want it to feel good but a tiny bit tender. If it hurts, let me know right away! At anytime if you feel the pressure needs to be changed, don’t hesitate to ask. I can use light pressure or deep tissue techniques; communication is the key to success. I won’t be offended - this treatment is for you!


​AFTER THE MASSAGE

When our treatment time is over, we will go over how you’re feeling. We will discuss whether you should apply ice or drink water when you get home to help prevent soreness. Normally, you'll be a bit sore the next day, but if you're still sore any longer, please let me know at your next appointment so we can adjust the pressure accordingly. Depending on the situation, stretching at home or a referral to a chiropractor may be helpful to complement your massage treatments.

I will give you privacy to change back into your clothes and then meet you at the front desk to give you a receipt with all the info you need to claim your massage through insurance. 

Rebooking your next massage is up to you and what you feel is necessary. If we are treating a specific injury or issue it usually takes 2-3 massages, approximately 2 weeks apart. For regular treatment, usually every 4-6 weeks is ideal.​

Hey everyone - Nadine here from Salon Society! As an Advanced Master Stylist who has been in the hair industry for over 10 years, I have tested more than my fair share of products (and continue to test as new ones are developed) so when I tell you these products are the five which I could not live without you know they are gonna be good! 

Before you read on and jump into my list I want to put a little disclaimer here: these products are the five products that I could not live without in my life, that is to say, my personal unique hair care needs make these essential. It is so so important to remember that our hair history, water, hormones, medication, diet, and so much more affect our hair and in turn what our hair needs. If you are struggling with a specific hair care issue please hit us up at Salon Society - we would love nothing more than to help you find your own best five products!

And with no further ado, my five products which I cannot live without:
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Calling all kinks, curls, coils, and waves!! How do you feel about your textured hair? Do you wish it was seriously straight? Or maybe you love your texture but hate the frizz? Or would you prefer something in the middle - a happy medium of your natural texture and smooth hair?

-- Do we ever have good news for you!!
​

Q: What is a Permanent Texture Treatment and how does it work?

A: Our permanent texture treatment changes the hair’s structure by reacting with the disulphide bonds*, loosening them, which is then followed by the ironing process that fixes the hair into permanently straight, smooth, shiny, and overall healthier hair.

This treatment transforms the hair texture gently and complements existing salon services like colour. It is resistant to hair-damaging chemicals like chlorine and salt. This new-generation Permanent Texture Treatment uses proprietary technology, which is a hybrid between keratin treatment and thermal straightening, making it suitable for all hair types.

​* hair bonds that are responsible for your hair type


Q: Are Permanent Texture Treatments the same as a perm?

​A: No, our Permanent Texture Treatments are not the same as a perm. They are NOT alkaline-based and there are NO chemical ingredients - they are all-natural treatments!


Q: When my hair grows, will it keep the texture? How long does a Permanent Texture Treatment last?

A: The treatments permanently change the texture of hair until new roots grow with the hair’s natural texture, as long as the hair is healthy enough to absorb the treatment. In the case of super-damaged hair, results may last for up to four months.


Q: Are Permanent Texture Treatments bad for my hair?

A: Not at all! Our Permanent Texture Treatments are formaldehyde-free and are not alkaline-based. Our product uses only natural ingredients that won't cause damage or breakage to the hair. Additionally, unlike other curl relaxer treatments on the market, our Permanent Texture Treatments have no health risks involved!


Q: Are the products used bad for the environment?

A: Nope! The products we use for our Permanent Texture Treatments are made from organic compounds and there are no harmful ingredients or fumes - making the treatments environmentally friendly.


Q: How long have you been doing these Permanent Texture Treatments?

A: Patricia has been doing Permanent Texture Treatments for 8 years. She has introduced to this revolutionary treatment product about 3 years ago and it has been her favourite ever since!

​So, do we have you convinced to try out a Permanent Texture Treatment or do you still have outstanding questions? Leave a comment below or book in with Patricia for a free consultation today. BRB - that anti-frizz treatment is calling my name!  

​Christmas is a time for excitement and gift-buying, but finding the perfect gift can be stressful. We sometimes feel distracted by the quick, trendy commercialization of Christmas, and oftentimes, these impulse buys end up in the trash not long after the holidays are over. We believe that shopping sustainably means giving a gift someone will genuinely love and avoiding unnecessary waste and over-commercialization. Big box stores tend to lure us in with flashy displays and low prices but it is so gratifying knowing your money is going back into your community instead of the pockets of some big-company CEO. As a small business, we wholeheartedly believe in supporting our local businesses and the local economy. Unfortunately, in the past few months, we have seen many local Regina storefronts close and we would love to encourage you to shop local this year!

With that in mind, why not treat yourself or your loved ones this holiday season with these great gift ideas? Giving gifts to loved ones is one of the most rewarding parts of the holidays, but we also believe that treating yourself is also super important! In that spirit, we have put together this gift guide - whether you need ideas for gifting or treating yourself with a little holiday cheer, we’ve got something for everyone!

Click the links below to discover our gift guide collections:

Jelly Mask Facial 

​Facials are super relaxing but they also are super fun - like with hydro-jelly masks! Ooey gooey magic hydrating mask is a very cool experience. 


Salon Gift Card 

An easy way to pick up your mood and have a good time? Get your hair done! Give the gift of a gift card towards their next hair service! 


Candy 

Dessart Sweets (@dessartsweets) & Exotix Candy (@exotixcandyregina). Give the gift of silly, nostalgic, delicious, sugary goodness! These very cool local shops carry all sorts of unique candy treats! Never thought Kraft Dinner gummies could exist, but Dessart’s has them! They also have imported treats, obscure flavours of pops and snacks, and all the pickle stuff you could ever dream of.  


Get Active + Have Fun

Ultimate fun for the whole family! Run, jump, climb and play at Sky Park (@skyparkregina), get bouncing and have the time of your life at Get Air trampoline park (@getairsports), or hit up Planet Lazer for some laser tag. Take your littles to Klimerz Indoor Playland to play and crawl around (@klimerzindoorplayland). Have a blast playing glow-in-the-dark mini golf at the VicSquare MiniGolf (@vicsquareminigolf), or hit up the bowling alleys at Golden Mile Bowling or the Glencairn Bolodrome for some fun glow bowling! 


Puzzles or Games 

Or stay in with the fam jam and play some games or make some puzzles. There are lots of local shops dedicated to toys, games, and puzzles that are fun for the whole family.  

Paper Umbrella (@paperumbrellask)
The Painted Parasol (Lumsden) (@thepaintedparasol)
Zippity Zoom Toys (@zippityzoom)


Take a Cooking Class 

A unique experience offered by Schoolhaus Culinary Arts (@myschoolhaus) in Regina is a cooking class with a professional chef in a super cool learning environment. Cook your heart out, drink some wine, and enjoy the yummy meal you have created!


Event Tickets 

Give the gift of a super fun experience (bonus: you get to go too and spend time with your fave humans!). Check out what local concerts, events, comedy shows, musicals, local productions, tradeshows, sports, etc are coming up and snag some tickets!  


Escape Room 

Work as a team with your pals to puzzle your way out of a room! Different themes and puzzles are available! Escape Club (@escapeclubyqr) on Dewdney also has a board game cafe & licensed bar to keep the fun going after the mystery has been solved. 

Other options: 
District 3 Escape Rooms (@district3escape)
Escape Manor (@escapemanoryqr)
Mystery Mansion (@mysterymansionregina)


Locally Brewed Beer 

Regina has lots of local breweries with great drinks and a fun ambience. One of our faves is Pile of Bones (@pileobonesbrews) - they have fab beer, great food, and wearable merch that we love! 

Other options: 
Rebellion Brewing Co (@rebbrewregina) 
Malty National Brewing (@maltynational)
District Brewing Company (@districtbrewing)


Plants 
​
Turn your home into a jungle (or add to your pals' collection)!
Rooted (@rootedld) is one of our fave local plant shops. Their team is so helpful and they have super fun plants and pots. Definitely ask for advice to be sure you are purchasing animal-friendly plants and beginner-friendly plants!

Massage 

Give the gift of massage with a gift certificate or by prebooking a treatment. Massage is one of those quintessential relaxation gifts and we would have been remiss to have left it off! Book with Dani at Salon Society or your fave local massage therapist. 


Facial & Skin Care

We are huge fans of luxurious skin care treatments and the Custom Facial offered by Hope, Alex, and Dani is a seriously amazing relaxation experience featuring steamy towels, two masks, and a heavenly scalp massage. 

Similarly, give the gift of home skincare! Dermalogica has a great range of gift sets and incredible products that bring the relaxation home - home spa day anyone? 


Blowout Club Membership 

Give the gift of stunning hair for 30 days - these SASO Blowout Memberships really spoil you with VIP treatment! You commit to one blowout a week for 30 days and we commit to giving you the best head massage, gorgeous hair, and a special package price!  


Pedicure

We are big believers that pedicures are one of the ultimate spa experiences. They bundle relaxation, massage, and gorgeous toes all together! Our gal Alex used to be a massage therapist so her massage skills are next-level.


Bath Goodies

Everyone loves some quality bath products. There is something so nice about taking a bubble bath or watching a bath bomb fizz. Lots of local makers create the best bath products from quality ingredients and safe perfumes. There are tons to be found at local vendor markets like Handmade Sask (@handmadesask) or Brick & Mortar (@brickandmortarsk)!

Insider Tip: Try a hair mask from Salon Society when you soak in a bath to nourish your hair while you relax!


Books

Cozy up with a good book! Find the perfect book for your pal or get them a gift certificate to find their own. Centennial Books and Spafford Books are great local independent bookstores to check out. Plus one of Regina’s coolest bookstores is Awarehouse Books (@awarehousebooks) - full of crystals, incense, and of course books - it is a must-visit store in Cathedral!


Cozy Local Mugs 

Everyone knows that your drink tastes better out of a cozy mug! Regina has many local pottery artists that make the cutest mugs - we highly recommend you snag one for yourself! 

Fave local artists + local shops:
AidenAmina (@aiden.amina)
PrairieMoon Handmade (@prairiemoonhandmade) - if you can get your hands on one - she sells out fast!
Wildfire Ceramics (@wildfire_ceramics)


Float 

After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, few things sound better than resetting in a sensory deprivation float tank! Check out Smith & Best Float Studio for this super cool experience. 


Candles

Candles are another classic for a relaxing ambiance. For a wonderful gift, grab a locally made candle in a favourite scent!

Hygge Candle Co. (@hyggecandle.ca)
Conjure Apothecary (@conjure.apothecary)
Ruby Reid Candle (@rubyreidcandles) - you can shop these when you go for your float at Smith & Best Float Studio!


Plants 

​Is there anything more relaxing than loving your home? In our opinion, plants give an instant ambiance boost to any space. They are bright, lively, O2-creating machines that make us so happy (is it any wonder we have turned Salon Society into a jungle?). 

Our local faves:
Dutch Growers (@dutchgrowers_regina)
Rooted Landscape & Design (@rootedld)
Little Big Plant Company (@thelittlebigplantcompany)

Desserts

Is anything more indulgent than a decadent dessert spread? Grab a pack of macaroons, cake pops, cupcakes, specialty chocolates, or maybe even a pint of artisan ice cream from one of our local shops! Gifting to someone and don’t know their preferences? Give a gift card! 
Special mention to the sourdough donuts from our neighbour The Everyday Kitchen (@theeverydaykitchen) - these doughnuts are heaven (and so is their whole drink and menu lineup!)
Dandy's Artisan Ice Cream & Luxe Artisan Chocolates
(@dandysartisanicecream & @luxeartisanchocolates)
Le Macaron (@le_macaron_decadent_desserts)
Queen City Cakes (@queencity_cakes)
Berry Lush Bites (@berrylushbites)


Snacks

Are sweets not for you? Hit up The Local Market (@localmarketyqr) (another one of our fave neighbours!) or The Nut Man for some fabulous sweet and salty options. If the selection feels overwhelming, grab a gift basket with some variety! 

Hot Tip: When shopping the Nut Man’s select you HAVE to try their Rye Bagel Chips (they are NEXT LEVEL!!) and their Saskatchewan-local Drake Meats Jerky! 


Meat + Cheese Boards

Enjoy a fabulous night in with friends with a delicious charcuterie spread. Takeaway Gourmet and The Italian Star Deli have all the cheese, meat, bread, and specialty items required for making a great appy platter. Or save yourself the time and effort and have one of these fab local stores do the work for you and custom make a beautiful creation tailored to your tastes! 

Takeaway Gourmet (@takeawayyqr)
Italian Star Deli (@italianstardeli)


Local Wine

Pair that cheese board with some wine! Support our locally-owned liquor stores and grab a hostess gift! All the wines and spirits you could think of in a wonderful local store. 

Willow Park Wines & Spirits (@willowparkwinesregina)
Urban Cellars (@urbancellarsquance)


Hair Care Sets 

There's nothing quite like the confidence boost from having beautiful hair. Give hair the love it deserves with a gift set like the Oribe Gold Lust Collection, one of Kevin Murphy's many options like In The Thick Of It or Yours Everlasting, or Kerastase's Blond Absolu Lumiere set! You can find all of these and lots more options online and in-store at Salon Society.


Clothing 

Shop local clothing and pick that perfect wardrobe item! Say “No” to Shein and lead-tainted clothing, and take a stand against fast fashion by choosing stylish pieces from Seed Sustainable Style, Havik Clothiers, Four Girls Boutique, Oliver’s Men’s Wear, and T+A Vintage.
Looking for your littles? Check out some of Regina’s cutest kids' boutiques Little Kinfolk and Little Prairie Kids for all the tiny humans in your life.

Visit these vendors on Instagram:
@seed_style
@havikclothiers
@shopfourgirlsboutique
@oliversmenswear
@little.kinfolk
@littleprairiekids


Plants 

Make anyone's home Pinterest-perfect with some gorgeous plants. Ask the helpful staff for recommendations for animal-safe plants and plants for beginners. Or if you are an expert plant parent: splurge on a fancy pants plant that only you could keep alive! 

Rooted Landscape & Design (@rootedld)
Little Big Plant Company (@thelittlebigplantcompany)
Dutch Growers (@dutchgrowers_regina) - And when you visit Dutch Growers, definitely also check out their boutique for quality clothing, gorgeous home decor, and so much more! 


Night Out 

Everyone loves a night out on the town! Plan one for yourself and your pal or gift a date night to your favourite couple. We have so many amazing restaurants and pubs in Regina - there are SO MANY to choose from - some of our favourites are: 

Avenue (@avenue_regina) - Creative cocktails and tasty food 
Homestead (@homesteadbaryqr) - Yummy cuisine and an extensive wine list! 
Circa 27 (@circa27lounge) inside the Hotel Sask - A gorgeous cocktail bar and a wonderful dining experience (also a fab brunch!)
Wann Izakaya (@wannregina) Japanese Gastropub & Tispy Samurai (@tipsysamurai) Bar & Charcoal Grill - Enjoy great sushi, ramen, yakitori, and other offerings in the great atmosphere.
Caraway Grill (@caraway_grill) - Incredible Indian cuisine 
Tommy’s Speakeatery (@tommysspeakeatery) - A very cool gastropub in the Lakeview area. Delicious tacos, nachos, burgers, and more - amazing margaritas. Super cool atmosphere. 
Silvia’s Italian Café (@silviasitaliancafe) - Go here for delicious, authentic Italian food!
20Ten City Eatery (@20teneatery) - Fine dining atop one of Regina’s tallest buildings - and during the warmer months, their seasonal rooftop patio has incredible city views.
The Lancaster (@thelancaster) - A favourite local pub and restaurant with delicious soft pretzels.
Chachalacas Mexican Cuisine (@mexicancuisinechachalacas) - One of the only places to get Mexican food in Regina, Chachalacas truly delivers authentic flavours.

Beach Waves are a classic look. They are always in style and they channel the ultimate undone, effortless, sexy vibe! This blog will teach you how to achieve the Beach Waves of your dreams at home.
 

First things first, make sure you have the right products on hand. Beach Waves are all about texture, so that is what we are going to be looking for in a product. Our go-to faves are in the Kevin Murphy Collection:

​The Kevin Murphy Hair Resort products utilize natural ingredients to boost effectiveness and nourishment. Honey is used for added hold, while citrus & tangerine are used for nourishment plus UV protection.
​

​Now let's get down to business…

We are going to go over two great ways for creating gorgeous Beach Waves: Braids and Hot Tools
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