Enough With Winter Already!

My hands and feet suffer the most in winter than any other part of me.  And I'm not even someone who needs to moisturize.  Ever.
So, here are my top products to help survive the misery of winter sucking the life right out of you.

Swiss Foot File - $20

Thankfully, they changed the name from "pedi-file" to foot file.  Those crazy Swiss!  A lifetime file, not the kind you use once and it loses it's grit. The grit seems to be encapsulated in some sort of teflon coating - it's not going anywhere.  This pedicure file for callused skin is double sided with a fine and a coarse side, and is antibacterial and waterproof. I love it and use it several times a week.

Callus Cream- $20 for 2.6 oz. /  $6 for .7 oz.

This magic cream loosens the cell bonds of the hard callus layers.  The intensive care formula immediately softens and noticeably reduces calluses within a few days, especially when used with the foot file.

QTICA Cuticle Cream - $18

I apply this balm every night before bed, so it has all night to work it's magic.  This is the 1 ounce size that comes in a glass jar, using a beeswax base, it is healing and antibacterial.  Tortured, red, inflamed and torn cuticles are a thing of the past. Great also on cuts, burns and especially on lips to keep them kissing smooth. OOH la la!

Wella Enrich Moisture Treatment - $14

This high performance treatment works to restore damaged hair with ingredients such as silk extract and shea butter.  Your hair is repaired, protected and hydrated without being weighed down. Use a couple times a week in addition to your shampoo and condition routine.

New Products That Make Everyone Happy

I have SO many new products in house now in addition to my old favorites.  The changes at the salon have been the portal for me to scrutinize everything surrounding me.  If I don't totally love it, it's gone.  Man, does that feel great!

Sebastian Dry Clean Only - $20

This dry shampoo eliminates oily roots and gives your hair a fresh smell as well as a big feel.  I never thought I would use such a thing, but this is the BOMB.

Wella Huile - $40

Those who have tried it, buy it.  A bottle will probably last you a year.  It makes dull hair shiny, fine hair full of body, smoothes fuzz in a blowout and makes tinted grey hair glorious.  Nuff' said.

Wella Enrich Shampoo and Conditioner-$19/ea

I have not loved a shampoo and conditioner this much since the MOP Glisten (now discontinued).  It's got great moisture, detangling quality and leaves your hair feeling great.  Buy in larger sizes for exceptional pricing.

MENS DEPT. Grooming Cream - $14

#1 for finer hair types and #2 for thicker more unruly hair.  I really love the citrus/mint smell of this line and feel this is one of the best cream type stylers for those who think the puck type molding creams are too heavy.

Illumina Hair Color Service

I JUST got this in.  It claims to make your hair feel better than before it was tinted.  The shades are incredible and I will have the full line of shades by the end of next week.  I can't wait!

Spring is just around the corner, which means new nail color shades and makeup.  Stay tuned.

Formerly 212, now 213 in 2014

The drama of 212 South Fourth Ave's landlord chronicles ended in 2013.  The building was sold and the new owners were to build 3 new stories on top of our existing building, making a total of 4 floors of condos and retail remaining on the ground floor.  We were asked to stay throughout construction and tried to make the best of it.  For a little while.
The building looked abandoned and no one was going to rent the street storefronts during the 2 year construction.  4 of the 5 of us decided to leave, and I decided to stay at least through the holidays, utilizing the extra space as a retail pop-up.
Only 2 weeks into my ordering of my inventory for the pop-up, I was told I had 60 days to get out.  They needed to demolish my space in order to excavate for structural footings.  Apparently, there was no basement under my salon.
Great.  Like I needed ONE MORE THING to deal with.  Everything else in my life had changed dramatically and was beyond my control.  All I could do was continue to trudge forward.  I immediately started with a call to a friend who was high up in the offices of a very well respected landlord in town.  I figured she was connected enough to give me a lead.  What I didn't expect was what happened next...
I was offered the most perfect space at the most perfect price right across the street from my old location and they were doing my build out for me.
I spent the next few months throwing things out and starting to pack, while doing a retail store for the holidays.  I was working 7 days a week.  In January, I had 4 days to move during the coldest time of the year.  It was miserable.
In the end, I donated everything from the old salon that I wasn't taking with me. That made it someone else's problem to move. Kiwanis showed up and took everything.  And I mean EVERYTHING.  They unhooked the washer and dryer, they took giant wall mirrors from the Main street salon, they even took facial room equipment.
So now, here I am in my new space, loving everyday.  I love my neighbors and all the new energy around me.  Most of the businesses on this block are new, run by a younger generation of entrepreneurs and I am thrilled to be a part of it.
My clients that have been in so far love the new communal feel of the space, We have streaming music through the incredible Gallo Accoustic speakers I won recently and I book mostly via text using the cloud, so I can make appointments any time, no matter where I am.  Everything in the new place is wireless and there is never a phone ringing.  I am in heaven.

Here is an early photo the day after moving in.  It becomes more gorgeous in here every day and the mix of new retail with new hair products has been a hit.

Salon Vertigo Hours

Monday 12-7

Wednesday 12-7

Thursday 1-7

Saturday 10-4

New contact info:

213 South Fourth Ave / Suite 1B

734-221-0302

New at the Salon!

Introducing VOLUPT!
Sebastian Professional has introduced 3 new products to create volume in fine hair without any kind of "dirty" feel to the hair. A shampoo, conditioner and styling spray that leaves the hair incredibly soft and shiny and smells orangey and fresh. I used the products yesterday on all sorts of hair types, finding that even on thin frizzy hair that I had to straight iron, the results were noticeable. Pair this product with a Tandem Texture treatment and so goodbye to fine hair!

Hello to the newest member of our family!

We would like to welcome our newest stylist Sarah Kashtan. Sarah comes highly recommended from trusted sources and is also a Village Corner Alum (just like me!). I've seen her work and am quite impressed with her style. Find Sarah in her new digs at the salon on Monday January 4th...

Time to Shake Things Up

I am a huge fan of the MOP (Modern Organic Products) line. We carry a wide variety of shampoos and conditioners, but I have been using the C-System Hydrating Shampoo and Moisturizing Conditioner for a long time. Last week, I though that my hair could use a change. I got MOP Glisten shampoo and conditioner and it's lighter and has a wonderful grapefruit scent. It's fortified with honey and maple syrup, which gives a great shine. I am loving it! Summer is a perfect time to change things up. Try using a different shampoo. Your hair will thank you.

-Grace

Natural nail services

We use Zoya nail polish for all nail services because it's Toluene and Formaldehyde free. Formaldehyde in nail polish?!? It's true that many beauty products contain ingredients that are linked to endocrine disruption, carcinogens, and birth defects. Not only is Zoya the healthiest nail polish on the market, it also has the coolest colors! To learn more about Toluene and Formaldehyde in beauty products, check out the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Skin Deep database at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com.