 What comes to mind when you hear the phrase hair extensions? Young girls? Longer locks? Hollywood? While all these can and do apply, it may surprise you to know that there are many benefits to extensions you may not be aware of, such as:
What, exactly, are hair extensions? And what are they made of? Hair extensions, also known as hair integrations or hair weaves, are sections of hair that are affixed to existing hair to add length and fullness. They can be made of either synthetic or real human hair, though either type is applied, of course, to look and behave like the real thing. How are extensions put in? There’s more than one way to apply extensions. They can be clipped, taped, glued, or sewn onto your existing hair. The method is typically determined by the stylist, as well as the brand your salon uses. Ashley Sinclair, owner of East Main, uses the tape method using real hair. “They are comfortable for clients and easy on the hair,” she says. How long does it take to get hair extensions? Depending on the desired style and the density of your hair, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours to have your extensions put in initially. Consult your stylist for a more definitive time. How long do extensions last? You can expect extensions to last between six to eight weeks, depending on the style and how you care for your extensions, which brings us to the next question… How do you care for extensions? Just like your own hair, extensions require maintenance. Before bed, extensions should be brushed through and long extensions should be braided every night. It’s recommended not to wash them every day. No heat should be applied where the extensions attach and no oils or conditioners should be applied directly on the scalp. What are some added benefits of hair extensions? When it’s time for a trim, your extensions can be left in and trimmed with the rest of your hair—there’s no need to remove them. In addition, when you’re ready to move on to another style, they can be removed and used again next time you’re ready which can cut down on cost. How much do extensions cost? First-time application generally runs between $350-$550 which includes the cost of the hair itself, but many clients agree that the added volume and long-lasting versatility are well worth the expense. Interested in learning more? Book a consultation with certified specialists Ashley or Tara who can answer any questions you may have. 
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 There’s so much we do for others this time of year in the way of giving--
gifts, love, our time, it’s easy to forget about ourselves. We’re so busy rushing around shopping, wrapping, cooking, decorating, party-going and playing Santa we don’t slow down and decompress. Add freezing winter temperatures and lots of gray cloudy days and you’ve got a recipe for an exhausted you. A you with dull-looking, lackluster skin that could use a boost. There’s hope, ladies! You can shed the winter blues and put your best face forward this season—without breaking the bank. Here’s a run-down of facial services East Main offers so you can decide which treatment is best for you (or that special someone you’d like to give the gift of radiant skin!): DERMAPLANING This procedure is popular among the Hollywood set and there’s a good reason why. Dermaplaning eliminates velous hair (peach fuzz) that can stand out when makeup is applied and harsh lightening is used, not to mention high-def cameras. The treatment itself requires the use of a scalpel, but don’t let that scare you out of trying it. In the hands of a trained professional like Kathy Moeller at East Main, you’ll get super smooth skin. How? The scalpel gently “shaves” or removes cellular debris so dead skin cells go bye-bye. What’s left behind is a new, brighter complexion. Dermaplaning is painless, requires zero downtime and is safe for nursing and breastfeeding women. The results are immediate. Another bonus: once the dead skin is gone, moisturizers penetrate the skin better and makeup glides on easier. And no worries: facial hair grows back no differently than before the treatment. CHEMICAL PEEL Like dermaplaning, this procedure is used to improve the appearance and texture of the outermost skin layer by gently removing it. Instead of a scalpel, however, a special glycolic acid solution is applied. But don’t let that scare you either: chemical peels are considered one of the least invasive ways of improving the appearance of your skin. Like dermaplaning, there’s no downtime required. You’ll need to wear sunblock for a few days after the treatment, but makeup can be applied right away. You’re a good candidate for a chemical peel if you’d like to reduce the appearance of sun damage, acne, fine lines and brown spots. And keep in mind chemical peels aren’t just limited to the face. They can be used on the hands, neck and décolletage as well. HYDRATING TREATMENT MASK Facial masks are great for just about everyone because they’re like a drink of water for your skin. In the dead of bleak winter, who doesn’t need that? A mask improves the look of your pores and restores precious oils lost to your skin. You’ll love the feeling of being pampered during the procedure, as well as the tightened, toned feel of your skin afterward. If you really want to go whole hog (this IS about taking care of yourself, remember?) book a massage following your facial, followed by a luxurious Grace Green Beauty Mask. “The Grace Green Beauty Mask is so nourishing and healing,” says Kathy. “It delivers super foods to the skin, such as living plant energy, raw organic honey, a rare, organic oil called tamanu and vitamin E. The mask stimulates cellular renewal as well as promoting elastin and collagen for younger, smoother, softer skin that will leave you with a beautiful glow.” To learn more about how you can reboot your skin this winter, call us at (513) 871-0110 to talk with our on-site esthetician Kathy Moeller, a 22-year veteran helping clients look and feel their best, or book an appointment.  Ever tried coloring your hair at home and found the experience neither
nice nor easy? You were going for that shiny auburn on the box and ended up ruby red (or ashy, or brassy, or dull). Or maybe those subtle highlights didn’t come out subtle after all because what you achieved were streaks or patches or clumps—hardly the natural sun-kissed look you were going for. It happens. Mistakes are made. Chemicals burn. Hair fries. Friends are lost (if you had a buddy do the magic for you). But there’s hope. Yes, it takes time for hair to repair itself but eventually it will. In the meantime (unless you want to shave your head) it also takes a professional colorist to undo the damage that’s been done. The East Main Salon ER specialists (because by the time you arrive at the salon with a towel over your head it IS an emergency) are trained to resuscitate your hair. They’ll be happy to consult with you about what your options are so you’ll be looking fabulous in no time. But first, what the hell happened? That Woman on the Box is Deceiving Was your color a surprise? According to Ursula Stephens, Rihanna’s colorist, the actual color you’ll get is darker than the shade shown on the box. "Buy one or two shades lighter than your desired color," Stephens says. "It is easier to amp up a color's intensity than it is to tone it down." You Strayed Too Far Paying attention to your natural skin tone pays off. Why? Because considering skin tone makes for a more natural look when it comes to hair color. For instance, Mitra Mir, colorist in West London, says for fair skin tones, “Avoid an all over flat color as this can make the skin look dull." For olive skin, “Bleaching the hair to look blonder can age you and doesn't always compliment the skin." Overdoing It Not to get too scientific, but there are chemical processes at work when coloring that, when done incorrectly, for too long, or too frequently can fry your hair. Cosmetic chemist Ni’Kita Wilson says, “If you use the wrong level of peroxide, or if you over-process your hair by constantly performing chemical treatments, you can continue to cause serious damage to your hair.” There are more things that could go wrong with an in-home dye job, but these are some of the main ones. All can be addressed by your stylist when you make a corrective color consultation and discuss your options. So what are some of those options? “Corrective color is always done on a case-by-case basis,” says Ashley Sinclair, owner of East Main. “That’s why we offer a free consultation. We want to see what happened and talk with a client to see what she was going for and how we can help her get on track for that look.” For an ashy or brassy result, Sinclair says, “we may have to lighten the hair more and tone the color up or down depending.” For clumpy highlights, “we’d weave in a very fine foil most likely to counterbalance.” Whatever the mishap, the experts at East Main have you covered. Before you know it, you’ll be good as new and ready to face the world again.  While it’s no secret many women color their hair, it may come
as some surprise than more and more men are. Some guys color to feel and look younger, or to stay competitive in a younger workplace. And there are those who haven’t yet reached the age where they need to cover gray, but just want to lighten up their color with highlights or maybe go for a slightly different shade. Either way, the trend is swinging to more men at the salon and East Main has you covered. Come in for a highlight or turn back time by darkening those grays. Our stylists are more than happy to work with you to get the look you’re going for. Men’s Hair Trends for 2018 Now that spring is here, we’re seeing a rise of less conventional, longer cuts than in previous years which favored a more chiseled, “overly-worked” cut—good news for those who like to spend less time styling up top. Think more tossled, cool and laid back. With that in mind, here’ a look at some of the cuts we’ll see in 2018. Long Top, Short Sides This style is very manageable, both at the office and working out at the gym. The longer, textured top pairs well with the short sides and works with or without facial hair. For a sleek twist, this look can be side parted, with bangs combed back with hair gel. The Long Sweep For men growing out their hair, or for those who already sport it shoulder length, the sweep is a great option. Creams, pomades and gels go a long way in keeping this look real, giving the hair a smooth, shiny sleekness. GI Crew Though edgier than the two cuts above, this look requires less styling. The sides and back are clipped close and the top is left long and often scissor-cut at the top for more texture. The GI crew works for both straight or wavy hair. Need a trim and looking to stay current? Considering color? Stop in or make an appointment here.  Longer days and the sight of trees and flowers blooming mean
spring is upon us, but warmer weather may also signal it’s time to consider your next hair move. Just like you can winterize your hair, you can also freshen it up for the start of the season. What better way to embrace sandals and shorts weather than a new highlight or cut, especially if it’s on-trend. Read on for what we expect to see more of this season. Balayage This technique isn’t new, but it continues to be popular regardless of hair length, style or texture. Why? Because it yields beautiful results. The colorist—using the client’s goals and natural hair features (like curl pattern), paints the highlight in specific sections or in unique patterns to target areas of the hair, (such as the ends) to draw the eye there. The result is both natural and subtle yet has a come-hither effect. If a standard foil highlight has been your go-to, it may be time to consider balayage. The Long Bob, or ‘Lob’ Long, layered bobs are still the rage. The layering adds texture and body, the longer lengths movement, ease of care, and versatility. And don’t think the lob is just one style—it’s many. A-line, inverted, graduated and blunt are all styles of the lob and these are just a few. So why not consider balayage or a new lob next time you’re in? Call us or set up an appointment here. Your stylist will be happy to work with you on achieving the look that’s truly your own.  Want smoother, brighter skin?
Looking to shed some of those facial “winter blahs” now that spring is almost here? Look no further than dermaplaning. Dermaplaning is a safe skin care procedure performed on the face by a trained professional. It consists of exfoliating the face using a surgical scalpel to shave the skin’s top surface. “Dermaplaning is a method of exfoliation,” says Kathy Moeller, licensed esthetician at East Main. “It’s like shedding your old skin so your newer, younger, softer, smoother skin can come to the surface.” When dead skin cells and debris (like oil) are removed, cell regeneration can begin. And that means fresh, dewy-looking skin Goodbye winter blahs! But there’s more- Newer skin means better absorption of skin care products like moisturizers and sun screens which are necessary as warmer weather approaches. “The process helps to remove hyperpigmentation,” Kathy explains. “It removes all velous hair (peach fuzz). The hair does not grow back any different than it was.” The procedure takes just 90 minutes. “That includes a cleansing, dermaplaning, a chemical peel, massage, a nutritional healing mask and sun block.” More good news- it’s painless and there’s no down time after the procedure. “Your makeup will go on silk,” Kathy says. In a hurry? We also have a dermaplane mini for those on the go, a procedure that only takes 45 minutes. it includes a cleansing, dermaplaning, chemical peel, massage, nutritional healing mask, toner and sunblock. We use all Grace Green Beauty products of course! Who’s the ideal candidate for the procedure? “Dermaplaning can be performed on any skin type except for those with active acne.” And unlike chemical peels, dermaplaning is also safe for pregnant and lactating women. ”It’s not only painless, but actually very relaxing,” Kathy says. “Your skin will feel and look amazing.” So what are you waiting for? Book an appointment for dermaplaning with Kathy here.  There’s nothing quite like pampering yourself with a massage
Chances are you’ve had one or more before. Maybe you were gifted a free one from a friend or family member. Maybe a massage was recommended by your doctor to take away say, that chronic ache in your lower back. Or maybe you need to schedule one just to unwind. But before you go booking one, consider what your body needs What is it telling you? Do you have a specific area that needs attention or do you feel tight all over? How much pressure are you comfortable with? The answer will determine what type of massage you should get. Getting the right one—the one your body needs and may be calling for—is the key to achieving the ultimate relaxation experience for you. DEEP TISSUE Have a specific area or muscle that’s achey? Prefer a more rigorous massage? How about an old sports injury that flares up from time to time? A deep tissue massage can be just the ticket. With this type of massage, it’s all about breaking down the fascia, the connective web of tissues that surround, support and penetrate not only the muscles, but the bones, organs and nerves. Using the client’s tolerance level as a guide, therapists use their fingers, thumbs, fists and forearms to penetrate down to the deepest layers of muscle and tissue. According to livestrong.com “Deep tissue work creates micro-tears in the fascia, which fill with elastin and collagen in about three days, creating muscles that are more flexible, supple and have greater range of motion.” Book a restorative deep tissue massage with Cari here. SWEDISH MASSAGE Feeling generally stiff everywhere? Looking to escape the overall stresses of life? Then Swedish massage may be the best bet for you. This type of massage focuses on working the connective tissues of the body. It incorporates specific massage movements, including rubbing; sliding or kneading; and vibration. In addition, it includes stretching and bending of the joints by the massage therapist. Common offshoots of Swedish massage include hydrotherapy and body wraps, and spa treatments such as aromatherapy. But it’s more than just about what’s going on at the skin level. “Swedish massage increases the circulation of blood and lymph,” says livestrong.com, “which has the result of cleaning and nourishing soft tissues--the skin and muscle.” According to medical massage therapist Cheryl Fetterly, Swedish massage is “generally an all-over relaxation massage, done to soothe and leave the client calm. It’s the one massage appropriate for all walks of life. Pretty much everyone can benefit from it and it’s great for resetting your clock.” Need to reset your clock? Book a Swedish massage here. Pregnant? Cari also performs prenatal massage! Book an appointment here. Whichever massage you choose, benefits abound. “I enjoy taking my clients on a journey,” East Main’s massage therapist Cari says. “One that will alleviate stress, reduce pain and enhance energy and immunity.”  You’ve heard of winterizing your car, maybe even your boat. But your hair? Seriously? Yes. Just as your skin needs a little extra attention during dry wintery months, so does your hair.
Here are four tips to keep your hair in top performance this winter:
 One of the newest faces at East Main Salon and Spa is stylist Lauren Abrams, who set up her booth in May. Lauren has several years salon experience under her belt and likes nothing better than to make clients happy and
feeling beautiful when they leave the salon. Her favorite technique? Balayage (French for ‘to sweep’). If you’re new to this gorgeous color technique, Lauren explains it this way: “Balayage is a hand-painting, highlighting technique used to create a natural look that enhances your specific hair style and color. Ombre, by comparison, is an exaggerated version where the highlighting is more concentrated towards the ends of the hair. It’s also not as striped looking as traditional highlights in foil.” Is balayage right for you? “It depends on the effect you’re looking for,” Lauren says. “If you need a lot of coverage at the root, probably not. It’s meant to appear softer at the root and brighter at the ends. If you’re looking for a more low-maintenance, more natural look, then yes it is.” When Lauren’s not behind the chair, she’s spending time with her husband, Casey, a high school math teacher, and her children, Owen, three, and Emilia, two. “With a 2 and 3 year old I don't get a lot of free time, but when I do, I like to read and I love to go to dinner with my husband. We love to try new restaurants and foods. “ One of their favorites is Wildflower Café in Mason, just down the street from the salon. “Every year we also do A Tavola for our anniversary. We love their prosciutto and fig pizza and they have great cocktails.” For Lauren, the first few months at East Main have gone well. “The salon adorable. All the girls have positive attitudes and really enjoy being at work. Ashley and Gail are amazing, always smiling and genuinely happy to help.” |
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