Salon J Review

Hey everyone!
I wanted to share with you my first experience at Salon J in Sidney BC Vancouver Island. Salon J offers hair services (cut/colour) and aesthetic services (waxing, massage, makeup application, manicures, pedicures and facials). So here it goes:

A friend of mine named Jess Bodrug works at Salon J and told me to come in and check it out. My first impression of the salon was that it was in one of the most beautiful parts of town! Right near the water! However, the parking situation is pretty terrible in Sidney and the maximum allotted time is 2 hours so make sure to park in a parkade (if there are any) or be prepared to move your car if you are getting a cut and colour like I did. Anyways, the salon was huge! There were two separate areas where people could get their hair cut, an aesthetician area and a makeup counter. Also, I immediately noticed that they sold and used both Aveda and Bumble and Bumble products which are two of the most sought after brands in Victoria (at least, in my opinion). The colouring experience was great, Jess applied a gentle Aveda colouring product on my roots and it didn't burn at all! She was also sure to tone out both my ends and roots as to get rid of the brassiness that had acquired since my last colour. After, she gave me a fantastic hair cut (which was much needed since my hair is so long and slightly damaged). I absolutely love the cut! My hair feels a lot lighter and I can see the defined layers.

All in all my experience at Salon J was amazing and Jess was very accommodating and friendly. She even remembered that I had mentioned my sensitive scalp a few weeks prior and made sure to use products that wouldn't irritate it.
I would absolutely recommend going to Salon J in Sidney and getting your hair cut and/or dyed by Jess Bodrug! Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Photo taken 4 days after the hair cut/colour

Photo taken 4 days after the hair cut/colour

Photo taken 4 days after the hair cut/colour

Live in Victoria? Need A Hair Cut?

Hey everyone, I wanted to do a special blog post just for Victoria Folks.

Stella Haute Coiffure, 531 Pandora Ave, Victoria
Phone: 250-384-3193

Facebook Page

Stella is in an amazing spot on Pandora and it's back door links on to beautiful market square. As you can see from the pictures it has beautiful wood floors and wood accents. They also have a little area where you can sit and read magazines while your hair hair sets. Every time I go there I am greeted with a friendly hello and an offer of water or tea to relax myself. Another bonus is that the shop never smells of over-powering hair products (like you get in some salons) and it is very relaxing and quiet instead of being blasted with loud aggressive music and road noise. 


I get my hair cut and dyed by Kat. She is amazing and has been doing my hair for over 2 years. She is ON THE BALL when it comes to what you want. Don't you hate when you go somewhere, tell them what you want, and they do what THEY want instead of what YOU want? Well Kat is fantastic at serving up exactly what you ordered so check her out!

If you decide to go to Stella, please let Kat know that Mary sent you!! She is a good friend of mine and is a GREAT listener so feel free to bring all your chatter with you, or, bring a book to read while she goes to work on her masterpiece. 

Here is the cost info straight from Kathryn herself:
Stella Services Overview:

( all prices approximate and subject to change. )

Gents Haircut $30-40
Ladies Haircut $40-60
Colour from $70 +
Highlights from $90 +
Wash and blowdry & style from $35 +
Updo/braiding etc. consultation required

Add ons such as toner, conditioning treatment etc. priced based on product cost and usage.


So don't delay! Make your appointment today!

Bumble and bumble recipes of the day...

Hair Powder
Why
Volume, matte texture, color-enhancement, oil-absorption

Who
Anyone; great for adding volume, deepening color, blending gray, de-greasing

When
anytime; after Styling Wax or Sumowax

How
If hair is relatively clean, work StylingWax or Sumowax through areas where you wish powder to adhere. Shake bottle to fluff contents, hold at an angle and squeeze quickly and repeatedly, directing stream to head. Shake excess through with fingers.

Hair Powder first + Gloss after= a less matte finish, adds some oil back

Surf Spray
Why
texture, matte finish, volume, light hold

Who
Anyone; excellent for wavy types and landlocked surfers with winter blues; adds body to fine hair; a nice texture for silver hair

When
anytime; after Prep or Tonic Lotion, before styling
How
Work through damp or dry hair, let dry naturally or blow-dry with a diffuser. The less you touch it, the longer it will hold

Grooming Creme first + Surf Spray after= a more moist, flexible texture (like salt water with a bit of suntan lotion)

Defrizz
Why
lightweight, humidity protection, shine

Who
anyone; good for curls and frizz-prone types
When
anytime; after Prep or Tonic Lotion, before, during and after styling

How
Squeeze a few drops onto palm, work through hair with fingers. Use on damp hair to define curl and control frizz (blow-dry or let dry) and on dry hair to add sheen, control fly aways and add movement.

Defrizz + Leave in Conditioner mixed in= smooth blow-drying

Defrizz + Styling Creme mixed in= hold

Bumble and Bumble cont.

Brilliantine

I loved this stuff so much I was afraid to use it all up! This stuff adds shine and if you put it on the ends of your hair it will add separation.


Defrizz

I also love this stuff! It helps keeps those fly-aways in place and give your hair that smooth silky look! Great for straight and curly hair.


Gentle Shampoo

For a gentle shampoo this stuff smells pretty potent! I don't love the smell of it but use it at least once a week.

More bumble and bumble....

Surf Spray

I have heard a lot of good things about surf spray but I an't say that I love the product. It does help you get that 'beachy' look when you mix it with other products but having it alone doesn't do too much for me. And for heaven sakes, make SURE you don't put it in damp hair then go out! I did that once and my hair became all frizzy and fluffy! Make sure to dry it first before going out in to humidity for sure. Like I said below, try to mix it with grooming cream or some other styling lotion and it will help hold the wavy look. It does give your hair a lot of texture which is nice so I like to spritz it more on my roots then my ends.


Creme do Coco Mask

I love the smell of this stuff! SO DELICIOUS! I use this once a week on my hair and sometimes more! It smells so delicious and leaves my hair feeling soft and nourished after. I definitely suggest this stuff to anyone with dry damaged or curly hair. I personally have fine colour-treated hair and it isn't too heavy for me.


Tonic Spray Lotion

I love this stuff as well! It works great to refresh your hair especially when camping/away from home! I also like to mix a bit of it with water in a separate container which I use when i am trying to re-saturate hair in order to re-scrunch lifeless waves. I use this first when I am styling my hair, it helps de-tangle and gives the product something to hold on to. It also gives a fresh tingly feeling on your scalp to help relieve itching etc. from hair that hasn't been washed in a few days.


Spray de Mode

This hair spray is amazing. It doesn't go on sticky at all! It also comes in a huge spray can so it lasts forever! Great stuff if you ask me!

More Reviews to come on Bumble and Bumble!!

A Bumble obsession...

I have been in love with Bumble and Bumble products for years. I have been going to the same hair salon for around 8 years and love the products. Here are a few of the products I personally own. I can't honestly rate these products well but I will explain why I like them/how I use them (but if you want to rate them feel free to leave comments!):


Bumble and Bumble Styling Spray

Purchase: At Hive Hair Lounge downtown victoria or at the hair salon in Hillside mall by the CIBC entrance OR at Shampoo hair bar

I usually spray this in my wet hair after I have towel dryed it and before I use a hair dryer or let it dry naturally. I love this especially for my bangs because then I don't have to add any firming or greasy residue after (with hair spray or shine spray). This is basically like putting hairspray in your hair when it is wet instead of when it is dry. If you want to get that 'messy beach hair look' you can put this in when wet, hand scrunch and let air dry or dry with a defuser. It also protects your hair from heat (your hair dryer/straightener/curler).


Bumble and bumble curl conscious holding foam


I didn't love this product at all. My hair dresser, Kat at Stella Hair salon in Vic, let me know that it wasn't her favourite but I should try it out. I felt like it didn't do much to help my hair curl (I have fairly straight hair unless it gets long then my wave starts arund my chin area). So if you don't have naturally curly hair I would not suggest this to help you get the curl you want.


Hair Powder (white)

I love this stuff but am afraid to use it because it is SO expensive! I usually spray it on my bangs to keep them from becoming greasy at the bar/on hot days. You can also add the coloured sprays to your roots to cover the colour or to help absorb any oil. This is a great product to bring with you on vacation! If you are camping and don't get to shower as often as you'd like, add it in! OR if you are somewhere hot where it is humid and your hair is getting greasy from the heat spray it in and vuala!


Bumble and Bumble Grooming Creme

I like to put this stuff in my hair to give it a bit of a 'clumping' look. Basically I'll run it through damp hair and it helps a bit with fly aways and kind of helps chunk my hair up a bit so it's not just all straight and fly aways. I also have a bumble and bumble 'how to' thing that says you should use it before using the beach spray and it will help give you that "just got out of the ocean" look when your hair is a bit frizzy, waivy and 'clumpy'... if you know what I mean.

I have a lot more but will post later about them!! I will also post the Bumble and Bumble receipe cards later so you know how to mix product and get that look you want!!