​Tape-In Extensions are attached to the hair using adhesive. They are applied by sandwiching your own hair in between two individual tapes. The number of tapes needed will depend on your desired length and/or thickness. The process is repeated with tapes needing to be removed and re-installed each time to move them up. This is repeated roughly every 5-6 weeks, depending on your hair growth rate.

Hand-Tied Weft Extensions are applied by sewing the track of hair into your own hair with a stitching method using beads, string, and a sewing needle. Your stylist will place a row of beads along your head and then sew the hair into place. A move-up can be done 1-3 times without taking the extensions out fully and repeating the whole process. These move-ups are highly recommended to be done every 5 weeks to avoid an overgrown weft.

*Depending on your stylist's skill level with each method, the application times can vary. Personally, it takes me roughly the same amount of time to install a fresh set of extensions of either type, although Express weft move-ups are fast and only take about 5-20 minutes! 

TAPE-IN EXTENSIONS
When the tapes are first installed, it's important to avoid excessive sweating, washing the hair, or using a sauna/steam room for the first 48 hours. It is also recommended to not wear your hair up in a tight bun or ponytail for the first week or so, as doing so can cause too much tension on your scalp. Tapes will need to be removed and reinstalled every 5-6 weeks. The removal is done by spraying the adhesive with a solution to dissolve the stickiness (by 6 weeks, they should be very loose anyways and come out easily), then removing and replacing the old tape adhesive with new, and repeating the process of applying the hair. 

HAND-TIED WEFT EXTENSIONS
Wefts are similar to tapes in the sense of not washing them or getting them wet for the first 48 hours, and not to wear them pulled tight in the first week-ish. With both types it's best to allow your hair to grow a bit so there is less scalp tension. A weft move-up should be done every 4-5 weeks to avoid excessive grow-out space that can cause matting or unwanted damage to the weft's track. If move-ups are pre-booked on schedule, then your stylist should be able to perform an express move-up, which can be done 1-3 times if proper care is taken. An express move-up involves just moving the beads to re-tighten the weft, with no need to remove and reinstall every single time.

*Salon quality products should be used for both tapes and wefts to ensure good hair health.

​Both types of extensions will let you naturally style your hair. 

Although tapes can give you more of an all-over placement due to their customizable nature, they can be much harder to conceal in certain hairstyles. Depending on how long and thick your natural hair is, it may be harder to hide all the tapes in a high ponytail or other updo. With wefts, it is easier to conceal since they have a single track. When it comes to volume, you are still able to achieve some with tapes, although it is easier to have lots of volume with hand-tied wefts.

And there you have the main differences between hand-tied wefts and tape-in extensions! If you’re unsure which type you’d like - book a free consultation!! I would love to help go over the options of which option will work best with your hair! 

Hey there, it is the SASO Curly Hair Specialist crew here writing a collaborative blog to share about one of our all time favourite curly cutting techniques: The Cado Cut! 

Textured hair is some of the most beautiful hair out there. With so many different variations of gorgeous curly and wavy textures there is so much individuality and so much to love... but oh man can it be difficult to find the style that works for you - this is where the Cado Cut comes in!

The Cado Cut is designed to create beautiful cascading layers, volume, and a balanced shape. This means that all types of curls and waves can be cut to enhance, define, and volumize that natural texture! And even better, this cut is designed to be completely customizable for what you as a client are looking for! Looking for more shape and definition? We've got you covered. Wanting more bounce and curl, without sacrificing length? You can have your curls, your bounce, and your mermaid hair too! 

You may be thinking: "Cool sounds great... but I have had disastrous haircuts in the past. Why should I trust you people??"

Super valid question. First, some background on why you may have had some bad experiences: working with curls can be very intimidating for hair stylists. This is due to a few factors, 1- we do not get a good foundational education on curls in hair school and 2- there is an insane amount of different curl patterns and hair types that exist, so feeling confident to tackle them all takes time and practice. Unfortunately this gap in our traditional education leads to a lot of mistakes in the real world - this is the very reason why we have designated Curly Hair Specialists at Salon Society. Our team of curl experts have taken additional education and work with curls regularly to keep up our skills. We are also always on the hunt for new classes and new curly cutting techniques to ensure we can always meet the expectations of our curly clients - and that is how we found the Cado Academy. 

The Cado Academy and cutting method class was honestly life changing for us! We all came out of that course feeling absolutely invigorated and can approach ALL curl patterns and hair textures with confidence and excitement. This course and new technique are probably some of the most rewarding and valuable education we have ever taken. Knowing that we are able to offer stunning results to every curly client is such an absolute dream come true! 

..And we would love to help you fall in love with your curls too! Book for a consultation with one of us today and let's chat about your curly hair dreams - and then make them a reality! 

Hello! Stefan here from Salon Society. I have been a hairstylist for 16 years and am one of the two SASO stylists that offer the European Blowout. The European Blowout is a luxury experience which results in an iconic, voluminous, silky finish. Today I am going to spill some of my European Blowout secrets andtell you about the superstar products that make this blowout result so stunning.

The European Blowout is completed using our fave European product line Kerastase Paris. I first started my training with Kérastase Paris in 2011, I absolutely fell in love with the products, became a certified Kérastase specialist, and have been using them ever since! 

The foundation to a fabulous blowout is always understanding the hair type I am working with and pairing technique + products to reach the desired soft, shiny, and bouncy result. 

These are the best products to achieve these results:​

​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. 
​

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.​

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!  

I firmly believe that facials are a top-tier service. The treatment includes healing and soothing and relaxing – and you leave feeling more beautiful and recharged than ever. Have you been seeing our recent posts and wondering what all the hype about these Salon Society Custom Facials is about? What is a custom facial? What is custom about it? Is a custom facial worth it?

Wonder no longer!! I went and got one so I could spill all the deets in this blog – and let me tell you, a Custom Facial is everything.

Let's break it down: What happens during one of these custom facial treatments?

I think the Pinterest quotes have it right: “beauty is on the inside”, “being yourself is beautiful”,  “confidence is sexy”. 

That sounds lame, but I think they are on to something because I believe being comfortable allows us to shine and be beautiful! When we feel uncomfortable - in a situation, in our clothes, in our own skin - we dim ourselves and our beauty. 

In an uncomfortable situation or when we feel judged it is hard to show our true self and come into our own. When we feel self conscious in our clothes we try to blend into the wallpaper, we change how we hold ourselves, we tug and fidget - but when we feel like a smoke show we show how fire we really are! I think that feeling  confident in owning our look, our self, our bodies makes us beautiful. 

Now let’s talk feeling comfortable in your own skin - your literal skin. Skin is the largest organ on our bodies and I think it comes with the largest range of conflicting ‘right kind of beautiful’ prescriptions. You can’t be too light or too dark. You can’t be too pale or too rosy. You can’t have too much of it. You can’t age. You should be smooth and flawless at all times - if you’re not you should wear makeup. But if you wear makeup you should wear less… 

And to combat all those conflicting issues we are bombarded with skin care tips and tricks, medications and supplements and crystals, treatments and peels. Now, I’m not going to say I don’t love skin care or that I don’t love getting treatments done (I’m dying for a dermaplaning treatment + jelly mask as I write this) but I do think the shame that is put on us for not being perfect or not being makeup free is ridiculous. So :

Do you want microneedling and all the best masks to clear your skin for a makeup free future? Great! I know the sweetest people who can help you get there! 

Do you want to brush on some powder or 7 layers of curated perfection? ROCK THOSE SKILLS!!! 

Do what is right for you and what is going to make you feel good; there is no right or wrong way to feel comfortable in your own skin. If you want some skin care with no judgement hit up our girl Hope - you can swing by for a free consultation and just chat or get down to business with an amazing treatment! 

First things first, micro-needling is a medical procedure that should be done by a qualified Medical Aesthetician. That being said, Salon Society has several certified Medical Aestheticians specializing in many areas including microneedling. 

Now, let’s talk about microneedling and why you should consider investing. Microneedling, also known as Collagen Induction Therapy, is a minimally invasive procedure to stimulate the body’s natural healing process and healthy cell turn over.

What the heck does this mean? Here’s some examples:

• Stimulates the collagen and elastin production
• Evens out skin tone and blemishes
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, age spots, brown spots, scars, stretch marks and the size of your pores.
• Over all visibly younger looking skin and total skin rejuvenation.

Did you know that our collagen starts to deplete around the age of 25? I know, read that again, cry a little and then come back. But trust me, look at kids with their perfect skin and no remaining lines after they laugh or glare or frown leaves us with serious envy. They really don’t know how lucky they are!

As mentioned earlier, microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that involves a specialized pen with a disposable needle tip (we use one needle head per client treatment since we don’t want to be spreading any blood-borne diseases). The needle speed and depth are 100% controlled by your aesthetician. Depending on your treatment plan and treatment area, they will determine the settings for both. The Health Canada licensed needle pen works in a stamping motion which is visible to the naked eye as a vibration. This method prevents any cutting or tearing of the skin which would be damaging. (Circle back to the top about why you should research your aesthetician and their products/suppliers. There are cheap pens out there and you and your skin deserve the highest and safest quality!).

It should be noted that the skin is COMPLETELY NUMB with medical-grade numbing cream. You
don’t feel anything! It’s literally like a vibration massage. We have had many clients come in who are nervous and then are surprised at how relaxed they are during and after the treatment.

What to expect for your session:

1. A deep cleanse of the skin
2. Disinfection of the treatment area
3. Numbing cream. The numbing cream needs to sit on the area for 20-30 minutes before we start. This is a great opportunity to relax before your treatment. (Our specialists usually leave the room and let you have a snooze).
4. Then it’s go time! Your aesthetician will go over the area with specific passes and then concentrate more directly on your concerning areas to ensure the best results possible.
5. Micronized medical grade hyaluronic acid  will be applied to the area and needled into your skin. Hyaluronic acid has many benefits, and when used with microneedling it helps with healthy cell turnover and recovery, adding moisture, reducing inflammation and redness, creates a fullness/plump appearance of the skin. (If you have any questions about hyaluronic acid, see our previous blog post about the hyaluronic hype train you should jump on).

Now of course with everything, there are some contraindications that need to be considered. Not everyone can be a candidate for this procedure, and a free consultation/intake form is required for any new clients. Please contact us with any questions! Our specialists would love to help you on your skin healing journey.