Spring has arrived and this likely has you saying, 'Oh hey new hair'. A new season brings with it a whole host of new hairstyles and trends just waiting to be experimented with. The runways at Spring 2018 fashion shows, and stylist predictions show an array of innovative ways to style and accessorize hair at any length, and many different approaches to cuts and colour. There are so many possibilities for hair this spring; it all comes down to individuality and the look that feels like you. We’ve kept up with the predictions for Spring 2018 hair trends and took note of the ones that have been repeated on the lists, at the shows and from the mouths of the top stylists. And there’s something for every fabulous, totally unique personality out there. Here are the Spring hair trends destined to be at the top when it comes to salon requests. Read on for your Spring 2018 hair-inspo for colour, cuts and styles. COLOUR TRENDS Have fun with colour this Spring! Here are our favourite Spring colour trends. 1. Nirvana blonde Nirvana blonde, named by Hairstylists Nikki Lee and Riawna Capri, is an “A list” colour trend that started when Selena Gomez surprised fans with the look. This colour keeps the roots dark with a soft, warm platinum hue on the lengths. This look is the new platinum, it has a lived-in effect from the moment you leave the salon, and it's easier on your roots too. 2. Silver From make-up to clothes, metallic is hot right now and it doesn’t stop at hair. Last year, gray hair was everywhere. For Spring 2018, it’s all about adding a little luxe to the situation. Enter silver hair, transforming gray hair into something a little more magical. Judging by the reaction to a recent Instagram post featuring Silver Hair, we think it’ll be a favourite. 3. “Ghosted” Now you see it, now you don’t. That’s the theme of this new colour trend, featuring a blend of metallic shades that hide in the hair. Colour is revealed as the hair moves and retreats in a blink. Shimmery and soft with a wow factor, this look gives platinum shades dimension. It was first seen on the Instagram account of Jason Hogan and has since been rapidly gaining popularity. 4. Red Who says blondes have more fun? This spring, red-heads do it best. Stylists have noticed an increase in requests for red colours, and this will carry into Spring. Copper red, fiery red and “Cayenne Spice” (seen on Emma Roberts) which incorporates blond elements, are all sure to be popular. Nicole Leal, master stylist at top L.A. salon, Nine Zero One, has said she hopes to see more fair-skinned, blue or green-eyed women go this route. 5. Rose blonde This updated take on rose gold hair complements any skin tone and is nothing short of stunning! Marked by blonde hair with warm rose gold tones, when L’Oréal Paris named its hair colours of the year, Rose Blonde was at the top of the list. The colour can sway more pink or more blonde and the fine line between the two gives it an ethereal look. TRENDING CUTS New season, new look. These cuts take top spot for Spring trends. 1. BANGS Image 1: @cwoodhair / Image 2: @violette_fr Everybody is getting bangs! Pinterest insights show the search for curtain fringe has gone up 600%! There are a ton of variations from curtain fringe, to shaggy bangs, to soft, long side-swept bangs. With so many variations, bangs are popular all over the world for being classic, chic, multi-functional, and versatile to wear. Bangs have definitely made a comeback! 2. JAW LENGTH CUTS Image 1: @nomeraye / Image 2: @cwoodhair Celebrity stylist, Jen Atkin, recently posted to Instagram saying, Short hair isn’t going anywhere! This cut is all about playing with your face shape and hair texture to create a look that suits you and your lifestyle. This length is versatile, working for all different hair textures. If you’ve got fine hair, try Great Lengths to amp up the volume for jaw-length cuts. 3. CHER HAIR Image 1: @ddlovato / Image 2: @stevenmathew If you're looking for a break from '90s inspired beauty trends that have made a recent comeback, super-long Cher hair is the answer. The '70s-inspired hair length can be easily achieved with Great Lengths! If you want to grow your hair out naturally, be sure not to skip on routine trims to keep split ends under control. This Spring, embrace Rapunzel hair. 4. THE SHAG Image 1: @taylorswift / Image 2: Jp Yim; Hair By Brian Buenaventura The coolest look for Spring? “Shag, shag, and more shag, says L.A. celeb stylist, Daniel Moon. The shag is a versatile cut that gives hair body. It can be worn extremely messy or perfectly straight. This cut was spotted on Taylor Swift when she launched 'Reputation' this year. This “New Taylor” curly shag was also spotted on the runways for Banana Republic. 5. RAZOR-SHARP, BLUNT ENDS Image 1: @/salonxvi This Spring, opt for a haircut that looks like it could cut you. The Kardashian clan has been seen rocking this look lately thanks to celebrity stylist, Jen Atkin. No angles, no layers, it's all about a shiny finish, sharp ends and the blunt straight across cut. This cut is simple but demands attention. A fierce look for Spring 2018. IN STYLE Be prepared to see these five styling ideas everywhere 1. KEEP IT SIMPLE Image 1: Pringle of Scotland Spring 2018 Show / Image 2: Photo: Matteo Valle; Hair By Guido Palau at Victoria Beckham Spring Show Think air-dried, sexy bedhead, and the classic pony. Natural-looking hair was favoured at Spring Fashion shows. Looks that are slightly disheveled and definitely nonchalant, like the midday centrally parted low pony, the worn-in ponytail with bangs falling out, and the, “Oh this thing?” incomplete half-pony loop spotted at Victoria Beckham shows will rule. 2. PEEKABOO BRAIDS Peekaboo Braids at Jill Stuart Shows This is a fun twist on an old favourite. The peekaboo braid has a bit of a surprise factor to the look; barely visible from one angle and fully prominent from another. Sport little behind-the-ear braids with curls to rock two looks at once and have it both ways. This styling approach was seen in Stella Jean shows, Jill Stuart shows and more. 3. MEGA-BUNS Image 1: Michael Costello Spring 2018 show / Image 2: @hairbyjaxx Bigger is better when it comes to sporting a bun this Spring. Oversized mega-buns were worn at the Michael Costello Spring show for a bold look. If you’re lacking the amount of hair needed to be able to pull together this look, just a couple of bundles of Great Lengths will give you hair that will allow for a big, beautiful, bold bun. 4. SCRUNCHIES Images: @mansurgavriel Did someone say 90s? Yup, the infamous scrunchie is back! Scrunchies featuring prints and made with luxe silk or velvet have helped these polarizing accessories make a comeback. They’re being embraced by the pros, have been seen on the runaway, and are being designed by celebrity hairstylists. To keep this look modern, avoid massive scrunchies and go for a style that’s simple like a smooth, sleek low pony. 5. HEADBANDS AND HAIR SCARFS Image 1: @estheralmansamng / Image 2 Headbands are having a moment in the spotlight. These simple accessories add a real dash of flair, no matter the material. Pinterest reported a huge increase in searches for silk and velvet headbands. Headbands aren’t the only statement accessory popular for Spring, luxe hair scarfs are in too. The key to making them look modern is the right print. Beautiful patterns are a must.
Steven Mathew is a newly certified Great Lengths stylist working out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Only six months into his certification and Steven has already developed an amazing reputation as a Great Lengths extension artist. Steven’s specialities include natural looking hair colour and seamless extension matching and blending. His social media presence is strong, with his personality and skills shining through in his frequent video features. TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOU AND YOUR CAREER! I'm a former professional figure skater! I got started in my hair career while on tour with a travelling ice show. I was always doing my own hair, and it wasn't long before I was being asked to do other's hair as well. Soon enough, I was doing cuts, colours and highlight work for friends and colleagues after shows in hotel rooms. My hobby turned into a fascination, and 12 years (and thankfully many classes) later, here we are! HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING WITH GREAT LENGTHS, WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION TO JOIN THE GL NETWORK? Though I've been working with extensions for many years, I'm new to the Great Lengths family! I’ve had the pleasure of working with Great Lengths for about six months. Several things led me to Great Lengths. Among them; the premium quality hair, Canadian distribution and pricing, and the desire to work with the original fusion bond technology. I always said that when I chose to offer fusion bonded extensions, they would have to be Great Lengths! WHAT IMPACT HAS BEING A GREAT LENGTHS ARTIST HAD ON YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS? Most importantly, it has allowed me to be able to help guests I was previously unable to service with other methods of extensions. Great Lengths is a truly customizable experience; allowing stylists to safely and discretely perform extension services for any and all reasons. Having over 70 shades to choose from makes me feel as though I have limitless creative potential. It's a very freeing feeling as an artist. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT GREAT LENGTHS? You know you are working with something elite and luxurious. From the meticulous training I've received, to the ethically sourced premium hair, down to the fine detail of the beautifully embroidered capes (for example), the premium quality is obvious. It's a pleasure to be able to share that experience with our guests and to know that we are setting them up for worry free successful wear. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER NEWLY CERTIFIED STYLISTS TO BEST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR GL SKILLSET? I received some excellent advice from my trainer, Celeste, who encouraged us to look to our current clientele to introduce Great Lengths as an add-on service. Typically, we think extensions are just for women looking to become mermaids, but the truth is anyone can wear Great Lengths. They might need a little extra volume with their current cut, or a flash of colour without chemicals. The client sitting in your chair might be more curious to try them than you'd think! DO YOU HAVE ANY GREAT LENGTHS DO'S AND DON’TS? Do practice! When I returned home from training, I spent a few moments almost daily applying bonds and working to perfect my application. Don't rush your applications. Neat and tidy work with clean sections performed safely is far more important than finishing quickly. Your client may have to spend the entire day with you to get the hair of their dreams, but the trade-off is beautiful, long lasting wear for several months and no maintenance visits needed! ON YOUR SITE YOU MENTION YOU’VE WORKED ON PHOTO SHOOTS. CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE? I've been lucky enough to work with talented local photographers on various projects and campaigns. Often hair extensions are used to enhance a look during these styling sessions. Though I am certainly no expert at photography, I can tell you that every model in those photos looks better with more hair! WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL FAVOURITE HAIR TREND RIGHT NOW? I have a love/hate with the word trend. In one respect, it is our duty in the beauty industry to guide our guests and help them to be current. On the other hand, I always think, Why would you want to do what everyone else is doing? I believe that the best trend right now is that anything and everything goes. I try to give my guests timeless hair that looks beautiful and current, but most importantly suits them. DO YOU HAVE ANY COLOUR OR STYLE PREDICTIONS FOR SPRING 2018? I think we will continue to see more rich and opulent tones moving into Spring and Summer. We seem to be moving away from cooler tones and toward warmer, sparkly shades instead. Bold placement also seems to be making a bit of a return. I think people are going to continue to play with colours like pastels, and deeper jewel tones, but on a more sophisticated level. I love the idea of being able to introduce these with Great Lengths. It's a fantastic way to achieve chemical-free highlights while maintaining the natural hair's integrity. DO YOU HAVE A STYLE ICON? OR A HAIR HERO? I have several that inspire me all the time! I love anyone who is able to communicate why they're passionate about what they do. One of my favourite hair heroes right now is my friend and fellow Great Lengths artist, Ashley Diana (@missashleyhair). Not only is she an amazing technician and social media maven, but she wants to see others succeed by encouraging them to step up their game and their services. IF YOU COULD PICK A CELEBRITY, A PUBLIC FIGURE, ANYONE AT ALL - WHOSE HAIR WOULD YOU LOVE TO WORK ON? Someone who is down to earth! I believe everyone deserves to look and feel like a VIP, celebrity or not. WHAT OR WHO DO YOU LOOK TO FOR INSPIRATION? My swatch rings! I know that sounds silly, but one of my favourite ways to find inspiration is by coming up with different combinations of tones, and then saving those ideas for future looks. This then inspires me to think about certain guests I can picture wearing these combinations. WHAT PERSONALITY TRAITS DO YOU FEEL ARE MOST BENEFICIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS? I think being authentic and confident has played into in my success as a hair extension artist. People are generally attracted to those who offer up or stand for something and have the goods to back it up. I only ever promote brands I believe in and educate others with knowledge and techniques I know to be useful. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF BEING A STYLIST? I have the need to create something beautiful and artistic in my day to day! Crafting, or creating something by hand, gives me a great sense of fulfilment. Being able to change someone's life by enhancing their look is a very rewarding feeling. That being said, you have to get it right! After all, we as hairstylists are dealing with the two things that people hold dearest to them– their looks and their money! DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MANTRA, A QUOTE OR A SAYING YOU LIKE TO KEEP IN MIND? It's not the product, it's the process I say this a lot when consulting with apprehensive guests to dispel any stigma about extensions being damaging to hair. A meticulous and careful application process yields success for the wearer. I like to post visuals on social not only of the finished product [on the outside], but also the inside view of the hair extensions. I think if your extensions look as good on the inside as they do on the outside, your guest is set to enjoy long lasting, damage free wear. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS MOVING FORWARD? I'd like to continue to focus on the unique one-on-one experience for my Great Lengths wearers in a VIP setting. I’d also love to be able to travel to meet new guests, and the many hairstylists that reach out to me on social media for advice and education. CHECK OUT STEVEN MATHEW ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. FOLLOW STEVEN MATHEW ON INSTAGRAM.
The biggest night in film called for celebrities to bring their A-games when it came to their red-carpet fashion. For your hair-inspo, Here are our five favourite hairstyles from this year’s Oscars. Zendaya showed up to this year's Academy Awards in a sleek topknot. Her hairstylist, Ursula Stephen, simply smoothed and swept Zendaya’s hair up into a high bun, proving that you can, in fact, wear a topknot to a black-tie event. Count on Zendaya to make an everyday hairstyle, the topknot, look ultra-chic. Emma Stone's red-carpet look was sleek, sharp, strong and elegant. Her golden strawberry-tinted strands were worn in a sleek deep side part, with one side tucked behind her ear – a perfect way to show off her bold earrings. Her stylist, Roszak, styled her hair to be super sleek, with volume and high shine. To achieve the look, she prepped the hair with a frizz reducing nourishing oil, and then dried Stone's hair section by section using a medium round brush. Laura Dern channeled Old Hollywood glamour with her soft bouncy waves in a deep side part. This classic beauty look never fails to make an impact on the red carpet (or anywhere else!) To ensure her waves stayed in place the entire evening, her hairstylist, Creighton Bowman, misted each curl with a soft, flexible hairspray. Job well done, Creighton! Lupita Nyong’o stunned with an embellished upswept braided style by Vernon Francis. Inspired by hairstyles traditional to Rwandan culture, Francis styled her hair into three thick asymmetrical braids and then wove delicate gold threads into them. To create this look, her hair was first blow-dried with a round brush. Before shaping the style, the ends were smoothed with a flatiron and set with hairspray. The gold thread was the finishing touch! Get Out star, Betty Gabriel, looked like a modern-day Cinderella with her curls pinned back in a voluminous half-up style. Her look epitomizes the ultimate half up-do: bold waves, dramatic volume on top, and cheekbone-highlighting height. About her style, Betty said, “I wanted to focus on natural textures and mix in traditional, elegant glam. I’m wearing it pulled off my face to feel comfortable, confident, and chic.”
SAND, SUN AND SENSATIONAL COLOURS Great Lengths international introduces “Mirage”, the new 2018 global campaign. The collection takes us on a journey to the breathtaking desert region of Namibia. Through sand storms and immense heat, Mirage juxtaposes the harsh beauty of the Namibian desert with the flowing and colourful couture and hair. The photographers found inspiration in the landscape, using the models and the hair as an extension of the beautiful backdrop. The hair is at the center of the motif; wild, bold, beautiful and creative, and art in itself. The models’ interaction with the landscape creates an inspired collection, brought to life by Great Lengths International. On the collaboration, the artist says: “It gives me the opportunity to work with the best quality hair, and to breathe life into my creative visions. Extensions provide endless possibilities within the creative process, as well as in the real world. They represent change and self-confidence.” VIEW MIRAGE BELOW.
Owner & Stylist at Grace Hill Salon Somboun June is the owner, founder and lead stylist at Grace Hill Salon; a luxury boutique hair and makeup salon, located in the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Working with Somboun at Grace Hill are some of the most talented and passionate stylists and makeup artists in the city. The salon specializes in Blonde Colour Techniques, Great Lengths Extension, and they even take the show on the road to do mobile weddings. These are just some of the specialty services that keep Somboun and her team very busy! HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING WITH GREAT LENGTHS AND WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION TO JOIN THE GREAT LENGTHS NETWORK? I’ve been working with Great Lengths for about a year now and I love them. They are by far the best hair extensions I’ve ever used. I took a class in Dallas with celebrity stylists, Nikki Lee and Riawna Capri; when they showed us their hair extensions (Great Lengths), I knew I had to take the course. The quality of the hair was amazing and there was no way you could tell they were wearing extensions. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT GREAT LENGTHS? Great Lengths is a great company, with great quality products! The extensions look so natural in the hair, and I love that, and so do our clients. I also love the service they provide. Nirmala from Toronto is great to work with! HOW DO YOU ADVERTISE YOUR GREAT LENGTHS SERVICES? Word of mouth is our best advertising, but other than that, our main source of advertising is through our Instagram account. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU OFFER NEWLY CERTIFIED STYLISTS TO BEST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEIR GREAT LENGTHS SKILLSET? Encourage your clients to get just one bundle (25 strands) of Great Lengths and see what happens. It will give them 10% more volume and they will fall in love! WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST GREAT LENGTHS DO’S AND DON’TS? I love getting clients to go lighter with Great Lengths. DO: go lighter with extensions, rather than lightening your natural hair. DON’T: Go too long if your hair is really short. WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN OWNING A SALON? HOW DO YOU WORK TO OVERCOME THOSE CHALLENGES? My biggest challenge is continuing to be on top of the current trends. Our world is moving at such a fast pace and we need to know about so many new techniques. To stay on top of trends I take classes for those things that I really want to learn. With the trends I’m not that in to, I try to stay open minded. I will study those trends but won’t invest too much time in something my clientele wouldn’t want. WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, IS THE BIGGEST HAIR TREND RIGHT NOW? I honestly think Blonde is here to stay for a long time! I truly believe everyone should be blonde at least once in their lifetime. WHAT HAIR TREND DO YOU THINK WE WILL SEE A LOT OF OVER THE COMING MONTHS? I think the wet look is going to be the 2018 trend. Glossy lips, dewy skin, glossy eyes and wet hair, you’ll see! DO YOU HAVE A STYLE ICON, OR A HAIR HERO? I love Tracey Cunningham, Nikki Lee, Riawna Capri, Morgan Parks, Tauni from Nine Zero One. I also love Jen Atkin and Justin Anderson. IF YOU COULD PICK A CELEBRITY, A PUBLIC FIGURE OR ANYONE AT ALL, WHOSE HAIR WOULD YOU LOVE TO WORK ON? I would love to work on Jennifer Lopez. I love her hair! WHAT OR WHO DO YOU LOOK TO FOR INSPIRATION? I love all the stylists I listed above. I look to them for inspiration! Instagram accounts like, Behind the Chair, are also great for inspiration. I’m always on the lookout for something that catches my eye. WHAT PERSONALITY TRAITS DO YOU FEEL ARE MOST BENEFICIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS? Honesty! I’m very honest with my clients, and I think they really appreciate that. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A WORK-LIFE BALANCE? This is a hard one! I’ll eat pizza for breakfast if I have to. Honestly, I don’t really have an answer to this. I work hard and I play hard. I split my weekends between friends and family, and I make sure I never feel bad for taking a trip because I work hard to take those trips. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT BEING A STYLIST? I love being creative and making people feel good. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MANTRA, A QUOTE OR A SAYING YOU LIKE TO KEEP IN MIND? Surround yourself with people that reflect who you want to be and how you want to feel, good energy is contagious. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS MOVING FORWARD? My goal for 2018 is to grow my business and really take it to the next level. I’d like to focus more on management. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us! CHECK OUT GRACE HILL SALON ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. FOLLOW GRACE HILL ON INSTAGRAM.
New Year, New Goals. The New Year is a perfect time to polish your professional edge. Start fresh and get focused on your business goals with some challenging New Year’s resolutions. A few small changes could lead to more satisfied clients, help you build your business, and leave you feeling even happier in your life. WE’VE GOT 7 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS TO HELP INSPIRE YOU WITH WAYS TO GROW YOUR CAREER, CLIENTELE OR SALON. #1 RESOLVE TO BUILD CLIENTELE Deliver great service, professionalism and exceptional customer care and you’ll be on your way. A great way to keep a new client is through regular follow up. Clients who pre-book can maintain their Great Lengths with timely visits and this ensures future business for your salon. If they don’t want to set one up before they leave, you can ask if they’d like a reminder a few weeks before they are due for another visit. It’ll save them a phone call and make the return visit to you an obvious choice. Another way to go a step above is to send thank you notes to your clients, whether through text or email. One week after their initial visit, send a note to thank them for letting you create their new look. You can also send a note to clients you may not have seen in a while, offering them a percentage off their next service. Offering incentives to those who refer new clients, who consistently purchase products, or who pre-book their appointments can create customer loyalty. These clients are your foundation and are critical to building your clientele! #2 RESOLVE TO ATTEND MORE EDUCATIONAL CLASSES The salon and spa industry is constantly changing! Staying up-to-date on all the latest styles, trends and products can definitely be a challenge. Resolve to continue your education, whether that means enrolling in a course, watching educational videos online, or attending shows. If you want to update or refresh your hair extension skills, we encourage all our certified Great Lengths artists to join any scheduled Great Lengths Education Seminar for a complimentary session. Our educational format continues to expand and evolve, and a refresh is a great way to keep up with current trends and offerings. Contact info@greatlengthscanada.com to confirm a space! #3 RESOLVE TO UP YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE It’s so important to take advantage of the free advertising potentials of social networks. A vibrant social media presence can be a game changer! According to a recent study, 3 out of 5 businesses report gaining new customers through social media. That’s no surprise when you consider that almost half of us look to social media before making a purchasing decision. Do you put your salon services and talent out there to be discovered? At Great Lengths, we often feature before and after’s, beautiful styles, and “in process” shots from our stylists. In response to these Instagram photos, Tweets and Facebook posts, we get countless messages inquiring about Great Lengths and where our stylists can be found. Be sure to tag your work with #GreatLengthsCanada for the opportunity to have it shared. #4 RESOLVE TO MASTER YOUR POKER FACE, FOR WHEN YOUR CLIENTS ASK FOR SOMETHING TRULY ABSURD You know the stuff. Expecting a celebrity transformation in a half an hour appointment. Wanting to go from brunette to platinum in one session. Requesting a decent cut to get rid of their split ends, but wanting to keep the length (This is where Great Lengths come in!) #5 RESOLVE TO BOOST YOUR GREAT LENGTHS BUSINESS If you have the experience, the equipment and you’re certified to install Great Lengths, but still not as busy as you’d like to be, resolve to boost that aspect of your business. Great Lengths can be a very lucrative asset in a salon’s service menu, and we want our stylists to take advantage of that! Discuss the possibilities of extensions with every client that sits in your chair. They’ll leave knowing the benefits that Great Lengths can offer and may just have their curiosity piqued. Don’t forget about GL Tapes! They give you the opportunity to introduce extension services to a broader client base, with their lower price points and shorter application times. Happy New Years from The Great Lengths Team!
The Wait is Over! GL Tapes and Tapes Plus have arrived and are ready for installation. To learn more and to become a trained GL Tapes Stylist, please visit greatlengths.com/en-ca, where you will find a link to a 30-minute Educational Video, as well as a GL Tapes and Tapes Plus Instructional Guide containing all necessary client documents. To get started, simply click on the link, sit back, relax and enjoy your in-depth training at home! No need for a certification class - Great Lengths Canada has covered everything you need to know to become fully trained within this 30 minute video. You will need to download the Instructional Guide and carefully read the contents. In there you will find documents necessary to complete a thorough Client Consultation, as well as important Maintenance Instructions to be sent home with each client. That’s all there is to it! As with all things though, practice makes perfect! If you choose to practice on a mannequin head before tackling your first client installation, we have training hair available at a discounted price. For pricing Information and any questions you may have, email info.canada@greatlengths.com or call us at 1-800-461-9302 ext. 306 or 307.
Whether you’re headed to an ugly sweater party or an ultra-elegant event, we have five stunning holiday hairstyles for inspiration for you and your clients, leaving the focus on what’s important this time of year: enjoying time with friends and family. (And looking fabulous while you do!) THE BRAIDED CHIGNON The chignon is a classic that works for many occasions. For a bit of extra holiday sparkle, we suggest adding a little oomph by working braids into the look. This will create a style that’s special enough for a fancy evening, but still easy to achieve. There is more than one way to approach this look. You can play with multiple braids, or keep it simple with one. It can be gathered loosely, or kept sleek; and the braid details can be worked into the front as well. There are so many options, but the simple addition of one braid in a slicked back look is simple, stylish and elegant; and we love it. THE ROLL UP Party-ready in a pinch! We absolutely love the chic-meets-casual look of this updo. A few simple steps and a hair elastic and this look is good to go. Gather the hair in a loose, low pony and part it above the hair-tie. Pull the hair up and through the part, twice. Use your index finger and wrap the hair to create the roll until you run out of ponytail and fasten under the roll with bobby pins. The final touch? A glittery comb slid over the roll. BRAID-WRAPPED PONYTAIL Take your ponytail from every day, to Holidays by wrapping the base with a braid. The braid and the ponytail are simple and classic on their own; together, they’re captivating. There is more than one way to achieve this, and quite a few variations. At its simplest, all you need to do is put your hair in a ponytail as you normally would, make a three-strand braid in a small section of hair at the bottom of the ponytail, and wrap the braid around the elastic. Secure with bobby pins and Soft Finish Spray and there you have it, a quick and easy way to dress up a traditional ponytail. HOLLYWOOD GLAM WAVES A timeless look that will be sharp paired with any dress. Use a one-inch curling iron and curl large sections of hair in one direction all the way around the head. Once curled, brush out the hair from root to ends to create a wave pattern. Add Great Lengths Serum Hair Fluid for a velvety soft shimmer and beautiful shine effect. Mist from far away so it just barely lands on your hair and makes it sparkle. For a softer (and even easier to achieve look) skip the curling iron. Separate your hair into three-inch sections and use a large round brush to give yourself a smooth blowout that’s slightly curled at the ends. Throw all your hair to one side in a deep side part, and let it evolve throughout the night! PRETTY PONY This is your opportunity to bring the sparkle. Start with a naturally wavy texture (or create it with a curling iron) and sweep hair to the side. Secure the hair in a ponytail and you’re ready to embellish. Add a sparkly hair comb, bejeweled bobby pins, or a ribbon head wrap with crystals Gatsby-esque style. We love this for the holidays! It’s the time of the season to get away with a little extra glitter, and this is the perfect way to do so.
Healthy hair is not only a beauty basic – it’s a must in our beauty books. The problem: It’s cold out there! Low moisture content of the outside air, combined with the heated inside air, can put your hair and your scalp under a lot of stress. Further, if you wear a hat to keep warm, the friction from the fabric rubbing against your hair creates static electricity. The result? Dry, dull hair that resists any attempt at styling. A proper care routine is a must to keep hair healthy and looking great during the winter months. Have your clients pay extra attention to their extensions to maintain moisture and shine despite the elements. Read on for some solutions to common cold weather hair problems. PROBLEM: DULL HAIR. Heat and friction interfere with the natural structure of hair and damage hair cuticles, which may lead to brittle and dull-looking hair. SOLUTION: CONDITION. Rich conditioning treatments prevent damage and make damaged hair cuticles smoother. Great Lengths Extra Rich Hair Mask conditions, repairs and strengthens the hair. It also helps hair retain moisture, preventing dryness and tangling, and keeping hair soft and shiny! PROBLEM: DRY HAIR & SCALP, caused by the lack of moisture in the air. SOLUTION: MOISTURIZE. Just like skin and nails, hair can easily become dry and brittle during the colder months. Lock in moisture to keep hair soft and healthy with a weekly conditioning treatment. The Great Lengths Extra Rich Hair Mask contains pro-keratin to rebuild the structure of dry and damaged hair, and is perfect for providing your client’s hair with some much-needed TLC. BONUS: WASH LESS Remind your clients to give their hair and scalp a break and wash a little less. The high pH level in water can cause your scalp to dry out and create dandruff. To combat this issue, suggest using Great Lengths Anti Tap Water as a final leave-in treatment after every shampoo. The complex formula of Panthenol, Biotin and their patented GSP-T regulates the pH level of the hair and scalp, helping to control dandruff and leaving the hair silky, shiny and static free. PROBLEM: FLY-AWAY HAIR. Arguably the most annoying aspect of winter hair, fly-away hair is caused by heated indoor air and the contact of our hair fibres with the fabric fibres of hats, headbands, and clothing. The movement of these fibres against hair produces static electricity, making it stand on end. SOLUTION: STYLING PRODUCTS. We recommend Great Lengths Anti-Tap Water. This aftercare spray not only controls the PH balance of the hair and scalp, but it infuses moisture and helps to control static and dryness. PROBLEM: HAT HAIR. Let’s face it, it’s way too cold to go outside without a hat on a cold wintery day! Your favourite hat will keep your ears warm, but unfortunately your hairdo will be undone. SOLUTION: WEATHER-PROOF! Don’t let the wind, rain, snow and a winter hat spoil your style! Great Lengths Soft Finish Spray is perfect for clients to keep a look in place. It gives hold without weighing hair down. Banish that flat hat hair with this strengthening, volume boosting spray. Pro tip: keep it around during the day to revive a look. PROBLEM: SPLIT ENDS & BREAKAGE and breakage caused by dryness and too much heat. SOLUTION: LESS HEAT. Cutting back on heat styling in the winter is essential, because there’s already that excess dryness in the air. Using heated styling tools will only increase the level of damage. Reminding clients to take time out from the hairdryer and styling tools once a week, may make a world of difference to the quality of their hair. For those clients with Great Lengths extensions, even though they must blow dry the bonds and/or tapeline, they can leave the length to dry naturally whenever possible. This will reduce the amount of stress and strain, and keep their locks looking luscious! BONUS: LINE WINTER HATS with silk or satin to help prevent split ends. Wool, cotton, and other coarse fabrics can cause split ends and breakage. Great Lengths aftercare products are essential to the suggested regimen for proper home care. They’ll help to extend the longevity of the installation, while keeping both natural hair and her extensions looking beautiful.
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