“A Magnificent View” is the second episode of the Great Lengths 2020 communication campaign, inspired by Goethe’s Italian travel diary. This episode is the metaphoric sunrise of the protagonists’ journey, a beginning full of desire to be open to new experiences, in a new place. A woman opens the book and suddenly it’s a fresh autumn morning, with a weak sunlight seeping in through the shutters. So the story begins in an intimate mood, as the protagonists wake up in a peculiar place, which is not so obviously connected to the sicilian tradition: it is actually a Chinese Palace, a gorgeous building located inside a park just outside Palermo, and former royal residence of the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies designed in the style of Chinoiserie. Today it is a museum and a rare example of eclectic architecture. The atmosphere of the location, full of contrasts, suggests the shape of the mind, where everything co-exists at the same time: past and future, memory and imagination. Different places appear and the physical journey becomes a dreamy one. Contrast is the leit-motiv of the female aestethic look&feel: outfits range from bright or pastel solid colors to black&white, while all hairstyles are contemporary, minimalistic pull-ups, of different shapes, ranging from chignons to braids to ‘60s volume. Romana, the main protagonist of the story (she’s the woman who kicks off the day by opening the windows on an enchanting Italian garden), wears a mix of GL TAPES and GL TAPES+, in both 04 and 06 shades, applied skillfully by the international Great Lengths hairdressers’ team.
Spring is a time for fresh beginnings, and nothing refreshes your look quite like a new hairstyle. The Spring/Summer 2020 runways were filled with hair inspiration to give us a glimpse at the biggest hair trends that are about to be all over your Insta feeds. If we go by what was spotted on the runways, retro '70s styles will reign supreme, braided pigtails are all grown up, and out-of-the-ordinary pearl and crystal embellishments will add a pretty touch to any look. CHECK OUT 5 FAVOURITE HAIR TRENDS THAT ON THEIR WAY TO THE TOP OF THE, “IT LIST” THIS SPRING. 70’s inspired The spirit of the 70’s was all over the catwalks yet again this Spring. From textured, shaggy waves, simple centre parts, and afros, think 1970’s era with a modern touch. The runways at Celine, Albert Ferretti, and Saint Laurent all embraced the 70’s style, delivering plenty of hair inspiration to start off the Spring season. At Chanel, stylist Sam McKnight was overheard saying: We are inspired by the ladies of the 1970s who had heavy gorgeous hair like curtains. It's done in a natural way, it's brushable, it’s heavy, it moves, and it's luxurious. Long live 70’s style. 70's Inspired Braids Let’s be honest: braids aren’t a trend, they’re a constant, but that doesn’t mean it’s same old- same old for Spring 2020 braids. This Spring we’ll see braids in a variety of styles that recall older trends in a new way. Braided pigtails were spotted on the runway paired with sophisticated suits for a look that was refreshingly cool, and easy to copy off the runway. Who would have guessed that a crisp middle part, and tight double braids that started just behind the ears, a la “Wednesday Adams”, would be a runway hit? Braided face framing tendrils are going to bring the 90’s back in a new unique way. Other looks we’ll see: skinny braids hidden amongst the rest of your hair, boho braids (always popular), and tight and pristine low braids for a prim and proper look. Braids Embellishments This trend was spotted in Winter 2020, on Chloe Coleman and Michelle Williams at the 2020 Sag Awards and in Lucy Boynton’s pearl-studded part at the Oscars, and it’s definitely going to carry into Spring. Shiny waves, braids and buns, styles of all sorts were heavily embellished with hair combs, clips, pearls, crystals, beads, gems, bows, flowers… you name it, it was spotted on Spring/Summer runways. Soft, romantic waves and curls were adorned with crystals for a beautiful finish on the Bibhu Mohapatra runway. At Marc Jacobs, top knots were finished with a handful of eye-catching hair clips, and at Afffair: barrettes and clips moved from accent category to statement territory. Embellissements Fashion Shades It seems Billie Eillish has had an impact. Celebrity hairstylist, Clayton Hawkins says, neon green, orange and highlighter yellow are going to be everywhere…” This Spring be prepared to see pretty much all of your favorite influencers playing around with bright hues of colour in their hair. If you’ve been thinking of taking the plunge and trying some fashion hair colours, now’s the time! Neon red was a striking colour on Yuan Bing Bing, who walked the runway for Roland Mouret, Ermanno Scervino, and House of Holland. If a full head of colour is a little much, just a touch of colour is on trend too, as indicated by the dip dye ends spotted on Demi Lovato, or the faded streaks in the buns of models at Rebecca Minkoff. A pop of chemical-free colour can be added with Great Lengths for a damage-free, short-term commitment to this Spring trend. Fashion Shades Last but not least… Extensions will be trending! says Edward Tricomi, well-known global stylist. Extensions are indeed a growing worldwide trend that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. By 2023, the global hair extension and wig market is expected to exceed $10 billion in revenue. We’ve already seen sneak peeks of this trend with the Kardashians making a solid case for Rapunzel-length hair during Paris Fashion Week at the start of the month. Kim Kardashian showed off dramatic mid-thigh length ponytail extensions, and Kylie Jenner sported a braid longer than she is tall. While Kylie’s look may be a little on the extreme side, we think ultra-long ponytails are set to be trending this Spring Season. The versatility of extensions makes them an extremely popular option for adding length, volume or colour, to help achieve all the styles set to be trending from Spring into Summer. Last but not least
Natacha Thivierge is the founder and co-owner of Salōn XN, a popular high-end salon in Blainville, Quebec. Designed to cater exclusively to women, Salōn XN has become the go-to salon for Quebec’s young female influencers to feel pampered and leave feeling beautiful and confident. Natacha is a newly certified Great Lengths stylist and has already made quite the impression on Instagram with her beautiful applications. We couldn’t wait to get to know Natacha for our Stylist Spotlight. Tell us a bit about you and your career! How did you get your start, and what led you to your role as co-owner of Salōn XN? I started in the hairdressing field at 14 years old. I did my training and I knew immediately that it was what I wanted to do. After having done everything (colourist, barber, hair extensions, cuts), I wanted to offer a unique service dedicated to women only. Two years ago I founded Salōn XN, and now here I am! Tell us about Salōn XN! Salōn XN is my world. It is for me a place dedicated to making every woman feel good, receiving personalized service. We offer a range of services, anything a woman could want! My goal is to offer the best to our customers with quality products and service. How long have you been working with Great Lengths; what was your inspiration to join the GL network? I have only just recently become a certified Great Lengths technician, less than a year ago, however, I have been doing other methods of extensions for 12 years. I started with the technique where I had to put the glue on the strands of hair myself - it was horrible! I tried more than twenty companies until I discovered GL, and it has changed my life! What impact has being a Great Lengths Artist had on you and your business? The word that comes to mind is professionalism. When we began offering Great Lengths, it all made sense. I am proud to offer a product with a unique range, a history and a level of quality that aligns with our Salōn XN brand. What do you love about Great Lengths? I love the number of options we have with Great Lengths. It’s incredible when I take out my colour ring with all of the colour options; it allows me to be so creative. I love explaining the Great Lengths reputation, history, the installation process, and the quality! I love telling my client that she will have the most beautiful hair in the world when she chooses Great Lengths extensions. What is your personal favourite hair trend right now? We specialize in blond, so our clients stand out, often with several shades of warm or cool blond. These are my favourite colours. What are your predictions for the top hair trends for Spring 2020? For Spring 2020, I predict a lot of blonde, multidimensional browns, and pastels for festivals. I promise you’ll see beautiful colour coming out of Salōn XN. If you could pick a celebrity, a public figure, anyone- whose hair would you love to work on? Maripier Morin, my Quebec idol. I think she represents the current woman so perfectly! What or who do you look to for inspiration? I take inspiration from everyone; my employees, Instagram, other salons. Max Gourgues (@maxgourgues), and hair educator Marie-Anne Labrie (@pinklablonde) are particularly inspiring! We are so lucky to have such passionate and creative people in Quebec. Salōn XN works closely with a number of influencers in Quebec. How have you worked to develop these relationships? What do you like about working with these influential young woman? I have built a bond and a great level of trust with them. While it is a business relationship, it is also friendly. Salōn XN has an image of being true, sincere and authentic and it’s a top priority to ensure our clients feel this. It is very important to me. I often get asked the question, How did you build those relationships? Salōn XN is fresh, it is current and we always have new plans in the works. We involve our influencers with developing our plans and I think this has been an important part of those relationships. I love working with them, it's inspiring. We work together in a mutually beneficial way to reap the rewards. It’s very motivating. What advice would you offer newly certified stylists to best take advantage of their GL skillset? First and foremost - Respect your client's hair. Stay true to this and you can do amazing work. Mix tone on tone to create beautiful finishes, and develop a style that is unique to you and your client. What personality traits do you think are most beneficial to your success? I’m a perfectionist! Some would say that in your personal life, perfectionism is not entirely beneficial, but at work it gives you an advantage. I’m very committed to ensuring everything I do feels well-executed, clean, as close to perfect as possible. My approach to social media and Instagram have also proven to be incredibly beneficial. What is your favourite part of being a stylist? I love giving advice, guiding my clients, and proving to them that anything is possible when it is well-executed. Above all, I love being able to change perceptions of hair extensions with Great Lengths. Do you have a favourite mantra, a quote or a saying you like to keep in mind? “Respect the hair.” With your recent engagement, a young daughter and a successful salon, 2020 is bound to be a busy year for you! What are your goals and aspirations as you move forward? I believe that staying busy and being surrounded with people and things that make you happy makes us move forward in all aspects of our life. This year, Salōn XN will continue to evolve in big ways; we have several beautiful projects launching soon. I’ll stay busy! FOLLOW NATACHA AND SALON XN ON INSTAGRAM.
Great Lengths Universal’s latest campaign features elegance and beauty against the backdrop of Italian heritage and culture. Creative directed by Alessandro Molinari, Elisa Barbieri and Rossano Ferretti, the new 2020 global campaign is titled, “The Great Italian Journey” and is a colourful and elegant display. As indicated by the title of the campaign, the aspirational collection of photographs and videos feature five women on a journey through Italy, discovering the Sicilian atmosphere, flavours, and traditions. Each of the five woman have an individual style and beauty that has been enhanced with Great Lengths. The contemporary and varied personal beauty, hair style and personality of each woman become stand out features against the Baroque backdrop. The Palermo setting is an incredibly fitting location for this collection; Italy plays a huge part in the Great Lengths story. Great Lengths Hair Extensions were founded in Italy in 1993 and our extensions are made there with pride to this day. Our production facility is located in the town of Nepi, near Rome. By producing our extensions here, Great Lengths ensures our value of quality and ethics are upheld, with a working environment that respects human rights, local traditions and all standards of ethics. This Italian identity is a big piece of the Great Lengths’ culture, and with its warm light, bright colours, strong heritage and tranquil lifestyle, it’s also a beautiful backdrop for the photography of this campaign. In this campaign you’ll discover the hidden gems of the Sicilian atmosphere, flavours, and traditions; loud markets, warm-hearted local people, and stunning architecture. You’ll also see symbols of the Sicilian identity, such as the pomegranate, representing wealth and joy. You’ll see unique places, like the eclectic and unexpected Chinese Palace, or the Casa-Museo Stanze al Genio, a museum hosting 5000 glazed tiles derived exclusively from ancient Southern Italian palaces. And of course, you’ll see beautiful hair. Through each episode of, “The Great Italian Journey,” the five women explore hidden gems of Italy, giving a taste of the “Dolce Vita”, the good life, while sporting elegant and minimalist hairstyles created by the artistic team. VIEW PART OF THE COLLECTION BELOW AND STAY TUNED TO OUR SOCIAL FEEDS AND BLOG AS, “THE GREAT ITALIAN JOURNEY” CONTINUES.
“Wandering the City” is the first episode of the multi-faceted storytelling created by Great Lengths for its 2020 communication and entitled “The Great Italian Journey”, as a tribute to Goethe’s travel literature masterpiece “Italian Journey”. Why Sicily and why Palermo? Sicily, first of all, offers a rich point of departure to reimagine a new Italian identity, where made-in-Italy coexists with innovation. Palermo, actually, is not a random choice: the Sicilian County Seat is a treasure of historical beauty, one of the liveliest European cities and finally, an urban labyrinth, where colorful folklore is still alive whilst at the same time, an artistic rebirth is taking place. This rebirth stems primarily from the recent private initiative to undertake the renovation of Palazzo Butera, an extraordinary 18th century estate, located right on the seafront in the historical city centre, and to transform it into a library, a set of galleries for temporary exhibitions and the display of private art collections. Wandering the Palermo streets is a taste of Dolce Vita, that tranquil lifestyle that tourists coming to Southern Italy have been looking for, since the end of the 18th century, when artists from Northern European countries ventured to Italy for its warm light, bright colors and ancient heritage. Inspired by this kind of cultural experience of 19th century, five women, coming from every corner of the world, travel to Sicily to discover the sweet magic atmosphere of the lemon treed land. Their elegant, minimalistic beauty stands out in the pop setting of the food-markets, in the baroque setting of Quattro Canti and in the Renaissance setting of the Pretoria Fountain. How could the artistic team create such naturally voluminous hair styles that become the discreet protagonist in the story? On the Chinese woman, whose name is Y-Zan, GL Tapes and GL Tapes Plus (shades 1B and 02 in 18”) were applied. Her hair has been cut with the Ferretti invisible cut, to make the extensions completely imperceptible. On Laurel, coming from NYC, GL pre-bonded strands were applied in shades 01 and 01B in 28”. The enhancing of everyday, natural, personal beauty goes on. And it’s still “hair like you“!
We recently invited our Instagram followers to ask us anything in our Instagram Stories. When we encouraged people to submit their questions they had about Great Lengths, it turns out a number of our followers were wondering about the same thing: “How long will my Great Lengths Extensions last?” “If I take really good care of them, how long can I wear the same extensions for?” We want to make sure we answer this FAQ in detail for all of those wondering! Our keratin bonds are tiny, but despite their size, they have staying power, lasting longer than most other hair extensions. How long exactly? THE SHORT ANSWER: Great Lengths pre-bonded extensions can last 4-6 months. GL Tapes can last 4-8 weeks. Upon removal, they can be re-used. THE LONGER, MORE DETAILED ANSWER: While in general, we recommend removal of Great Lengths pre-bonded extensions every 4-6 months, and removal of GL Tape systems every 6-8 weeks, both of these removal time-frames are dependent on a number of factors, such as: The condition of the client’s natural hair, as well as how quickly it grows Their lifestyle The type of application (i.e. Was it to lengthen or to add volume; were full bonds or half bonds installed etc.) The aftercare products that are used And of course, how well the client follows the very important maintenance routine. While some of these elements are out of your control, such as how fast your hair grows, the most important factor, the maintenance and at-home care, is solely in your hands. The length of time Great Lengths can be worn truly comes down to how well you take care of them. In order to maximize your wear-time, we highly recommend the following: Use the recommended aftercare products. Aftercare products specific to Great Lengths extensions are available through all Great Lengths stylists. Stylists will provide instructions for use. Be sure to follow them! Regular maintenance and care are a must. Great Lengths stylists are extensively trained, not only to install the extensions, but also to instruct clients on how to maintain them at home. Your stylist will provide you with expert after-care tips. If you are not clear on an instruction or have questions, always ask your stylist for more clarification. Contact your stylist immediately with any questions or concerns. Your stylist will schedule you for a follow up appointment and will let you know when your extensions need to be removed. Removal is always done by a Great Lengths Certified Stylist to ensure your hair remains healthy, damage free and ready for your next application. Interested in learning more? for a consultation and learn how Great Lengths can help you meet your hair goals.
We launched our exciting #BigDayGiveaway contest at the start of the month! We’re so happy to see the entries rolling in. We can’t wait to make one Bride’s wishes come true. With the contest closing May 31, we’ll be declaring a winner just in time for the busy Canadian wedding season. Did you know almost 70% of weddings in Canada take place between June and September? Most, in the month of August. IF YOU MISSED IT: We talked to Jessica Kurtz, a Great Lengths stylist in Nanaimo, BC about the photo shoot that resulted in the beautiful bridal photography for the contest. No wedding dress is complete without the right hair to finish the look! Great Lengths are an incredible solution for a bride-to-be with fine hair, or the bride who wants something spectacular on their special day. A bride can add length, colour, sparkle, or even double or triple the thickness of their hair on their big day. For many women, Great Lengths for their wedding day is a first-time experience that hooks them. This was the case with Chelsea, a bride whose hair we made over for her wedding day in June of 2018. “It is thanks to my Great Lengths extensions that my hair looked the best it has ever looked, on the most important day of my life. My hair was a huge part of my feeling as beautiful and as confident on my wedding day as I did. I would 100% recommend Great Lengths extensions for brides looking to achieve their dream hairstyle on their wedding day. I had such a good experience and I could not be happier that I decided to get them for my wedding day. I was expecting my hair to be longer and thicker after, but I was not expecting the entire process to be so smooth, and for the extensions to last as long and as well as they have.” With three different application methods, Great Lengths is a versatile solution, with each method offering different benefits. Thermal fusion keratin bonded extensions, our original method, continues to be the most sought-after extension technique available. Our cold fusion method offers the same incredible results using ultrasonic vibration, rather than heat, to soften and attach the bonds. Each offer incredibly natural results, versatile styling options and several months of maintenance-free wear. And then there are GL Tapes, which incredibly talented Great Lengths stylist, Steven Mathew, raved about in a recent guest blog: “Personally, I love semi-permanent technology like GL Tapes for quick changes, photoshoots, and especially for brides who want to have dream hair for their bachelorette, big day, AND honeymoon! Lasting approximately 4 weeks between maintenance visits, these are a fantastic choice for guests wanting a quick and reusable hair extension system.” Tapes also offer the benefit of being a quicker and more budget-friendly application. A wedding is a bride’s day to shine, and a hairstylist’s opportunity to help make that happen. If you’re a bride-to-be, do not miss entering our Big Day Giveaway for your chance to win our $10,000 Great Lengths prize package that includes the installation, styling and removal of our keratin bonded extensions by one of our talented certified stylists, an aftercare kit, and your very own professional photo shoot before your big day, to be featured in a Great Lengths ad. LOOKING FOR SOME BEAUTIFUL BRIDAL HAIR INSPIRATION? WE’VE GOT PLENTY OF DREAMY SUMMER WEDDING HAIR IDEAS HERE.
Every decade has its defining hairstyles. The ‘60s had the bouffant, the beehive and big teased hair; the ‘70s had disco hair, centre-parts and Farrah Fawcett waves and the ‘80s had the perms, side ponies and mullets. In the ‘90s, who can forget “The Rachel”? The cut made famous by Jennifer Aniston on Friends was everywhere. When we entered the 2000s, we all loved flipped-out ends, side bangs and surfer girl curls inspired by the stars of hit shows like The OC. And then came the 2010s; the decade of balayage, the long bob and the high pony, and when hair extensions gained mass popularity. Perfect healthy, long waves were trending consistently. What will be the defining hair trends and moments of the 2020s? Expert stylists predict natural, yet bold, will be the theme of the next 10 years; natural highlights, natural textures and bold accessories and styles. We suppose we’ll have to wait and see but based on what we saw in the first month of 2020, it’s going to be good! Have a look at some of our favourite hair moments of the first month of the new decade. What trends do you think will leave their legacy on the 2020s? Chloe Coleman at the 2020 SAG Awards The young star rocked her natural texture contrasted with a sleek finish and stunning accessories to complete the look. Natural texture, plus bold accessories… maybe the expert stylists are on to something! Michelle Williams at the 2020 Sag Awards Michelle’s asymmetrical bob, deep side part and eye-catching accessory was reminiscent of Old Hollywood Glamour, and we loved it. Lizzo at the Grammy Awards Lizzo was nominated for basically everything, and her glam squad gave her a look that says, I'm here to win. Her long hair was gently curled in a soft Old Hollywood style that looked stunning on the talented performer. Priyanka Chopra at the Grammys Priyanka Chopra served up major Cher vibes at the Grammys, thanks to her stylist Harry Josh, and Great Lengths extensions! 10 rows of 22-inch GL Tapes were applied and blended seamlessly with her natural hair. Jennifer Lopez at the Golden Globes J Lo’s stylist, Chris Appleton, called this look “a queen of the night vibe. Slicked-back with an oversized braided bun stole the show on the Golden Globes red carpet. One thing is for sure for the 2020’s; Jennifer Lopez will continue to be a hair icon. J.Lo at the Golden Globes, again J Lo’s second look at Golden Globes was just as stunning, if not more, than her first. For the after party, she undid her intricate braided bun and let her strands flow free in a wavy half-up ‘do that showed off her beautiful colour. Margot Robbie at the Golden Globes Middle-parted, medium-length haircuts will be all the rage in 2020, and Margot Robbie’s red-carpet look at the Golden Globes might be the reason why. Her collar bone length hair was worn center-parted in surfer girl waves. Combined with her dark roots, the look was effortlessly stylish. Salma Hayek at the Golden Globes Another Great Lengths red-carpet appearance. Celebrity hairstylist, Jennifer Yepez installed GL Tapes to create this long, classic look with gorgeous soft waves and rich dimension. We’re going to confidently predict hair extensions will continue to be popular this decade.
One of the most frequently asked questions in the world of hair extensions is: Will hair extensions damage my natural hair? We want to give all the insight you need on this frequently asked, and very important question, so you’re well informed when it comes to deciding if extensions are right for you. There are many different hair extension application methods available, and doing your research is key. In this blog post, we’ll focus on our fusion extensions to answer the question, “Will Great Lengths damage my hair?” THE SHORT ANSWER IS NO, GREAT LENGTHS WILL NOT DAMAGE YOUR HAIR, WHEN APPLIED CORRECTLY BY AN EXPERTLY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL. Our unique bond is designed to mimic the structure of your natural hair. It is lightweight and flexible, allowing the extensions to work in harmony with your natural hair, never against it. Our application methods are very gentle, and the use of heat is minimal to avoid any unnecessary damage to your natural hair. Our Classic method uses a small amount of heat to soften the bond that is attached to the natural hair, while our Cold Fusion method uses vibrations to fuse the bond. The bond synchronizes with the hair, expanding and contracting accordingly when wet or dry, cool or heated. This flexibility allows your natural hair to move freely and ensures that your natural hair will not be damaged while wearing Great Lengths. You can rest assured that your hair will look and feel 100% natural and will remain damage-free; these bonds have been scientifically proven not to cause damage to your hair or scalp when applied, maintained and removed correctly. In fact, wearers often find that their natural hair has grown more, gotten thicker, and/or noticeably healthier, after their extensions have been removed! While it is true that extensions that are applied incorrectly can cause problems such as breakage and sore spots, our in-depth training results in Great Lengths Certified Stylists that are experts at what they do. They have been thoroughly trained in the art of applying extensions for the best possible, natural and damage-free finish. Stylists are taught to expertly apply the extensions to avoid any strain or tension for the client. They are taught how to customize each bond to suit different hair types and densities, to ensure extensions will never weigh down your hair. And, they’re highly educated on the consultation process. Before any application, a stylist will carry out a thorough assessment of your hair to ensure that Great Lengths are right for you and determine the best approach to your application. When it comes time for removal, the bond is gently removed from the hair using a specially formulated gel, causing the bond to break down and be removed from the hair with ease. When people say extensions damage hair, it’s almost a guarantee that they have not dealt with a trained professional. Always have an experienced stylist apply your extensions, regardless of the type of extensions you choose. Be sure to follow aftercare instructions provided to you, do not exceed the suggested wear times, and when your wear time is up, visit your stylist for a proper removal. Do these things, and hair extensions will not damage your hair. At Great Lengths, we only offer the absolute best in hair quality, bond technology, and stylist education, all to ensure our extensions cause no damage to natural hair. BOOK A CONSULTATION WITH A TO FIND OUT HOW GREAT LENGTHS CAN ENHANCE YOUR LOOK.
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