Matt & Nat – Fall 2008 Collection

A while back, I posted an entry on Modern Mix Vancouver about the Matt & Nat schoolbag contest. Now that it has been a month and the 10 winners have been chosen (not me), all of the runner-ups were offered a consolation prize of 50% off selected Matt & Nat bags in the new Fall 2008 Collection! I have until September 30th to decide whether I want to take them up on this offer. These are the styles and colors I can choose from with their regular price

Portishead $220

Moz $250

Ando $230

Kali $210

Jorja Lg $250

SHEAR GENIUS – the results are in!

A month ago, we challeneged Vancouver’s three top salons to come out with the next new IT hairstyle for Modern Mix Vancouver’s SHEAR GENIUS contest. And the results are in…

While Suki’s took the most innovative route, Tao had an excellent atmosphere, and Ian Daburn worked patiently with the client’s needs. Read on for reviews on each of the fabulous salons Modern Mix Vancouver has partnered with for Shear Genius and then give us your own thoughts, comments and feedback!

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I was a lucky winner of the Shear Genius contest and was assigned to receive my hair makeover at Suki’s, a well-known downtown salon. It was a pleasure to have Kye, a senior stylist from Suki’s, work on my hair. She showed me a picture of her inspiration before starting, to let me know what she had in mind. Watching Kye cut my hair was like watching an artist sculpt a masterpiece. She was extremely professional and precise in cutting and styling my hair. I could tell that she has lots of pride in her work. She worked with the colour specialist to carry out her design: strong linear shapes (dark) underneath soft, feathered pieces (light). Everyone at the salon was very friendly and welcoming and made sure I was comfortable with every step. I feel like a walking piece of art. I definitely suggest Suki’s to anyone looking for a truly unique and dynamic hairstyle. By: Christine Ledding

Creativity: 5/5
Quality of Cut: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Ambiance: 5/5
Experience: 5/5

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I went into Tao Salon with absolutely no expectations, and handed my head of hair over to Master Stylist, Christina. She took into account my Asian hair texture, face shape, personality, and recommended a “cropped” look. She took care of everything, from the head massage to wash, cut to colour, makeup to blow dry. Being surrounded by Buddhist inspired décor and inspirational quotes on the wall made for the perfect getaway from the city… in the city. They’re also so not pretentious, which made the experience very enjoyable. I also adored the chocolate mint shampoo. During the colour treatment, my conversation with Christina touched on environmental consciousness – the team at Tao uses pieces of paper between foils (used for colouring) to write notes! My hair turned out better than I could have imagined. I loved Tao Salon and recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a trendy look along with a peace of mind. By: Miranda Sam

Creativity: 4/5
Quality of Cut: 4/5
Service: 4.5/5
Ambiance: 4/5
Experience: 4/5

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Having “virgin hair“, it was an absolute treat to be involved with Shear Genius and get my hair cut, colored and styled at the sleek and modern Ian Daburn Salon in Yaletown. Jessica was my senior stylist for the afternoon and we spent a great deal of time going through my needs. She gave me several options but in the end, I really just told Jessica that I trusted her and her scissors to give me the most suitable look: the “Disconnected Bob with a Textured Veil”. That means, Jessica updated the classic bob cut and layered my hair in a “disconnected” way with some pieces longer than the other. The hair at the back of my head is also shorter and it smoothly glides into longer hair at the front, framing my face. The whole process took a careful 4 hours but it was a comfortable procedure as I was throughly entertained with tea, coffee (mmm latte), chocolate, magazines, as well as a personal greeting from Ian Daburn himself. I love my trendy, new haircut and have gotten so much positive feedback about it. At times, I feel like a walking billboard for Ian Daburn Salons but I’m sure proud of it! By: Vanessa Choot

Creativity: 4/5
Quality of Cut: 4.5/5
Service: 4/5
Ambiance: 4/5
Experience: 4/5

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You’ve heard our feedback – now what’s yours? After hearing about our experiences, which salon would you most like to check out? Which experience are you envious of? Which one do you think came up with the most creative cut? Let us know in the comments section below and we’ll make sure the three salons hear you out!

SHEAR GENIUS – Congratulations to our MMV contest winner!

CONGRATULATIONS to Christa Ledding, the winner of Modern Mix Vancouver’s first contest SHEAR GENIUS! We have teamed up with three upscale Vancouver Salons (Ian Daburn, Tao and Suki’s) and challenged them to create the next “it” haircut. Christa will be going to Suki’s on Burrard for her hair cut, style and color!

I have fantastically glamourous style in my art and in my personality, but I need a sassy hairstyle to complete the puzzle.

In the meantime, in case you can’t wait for the fabulous makeover to be revealed – here are some exclusive interviews with each salon to preview their personalities!!

Ian Daburn Salon (1073 Cambie Street, Yaletown)

What values does Ian Daburn Salon work by?

Ambitions to be the best does not consist of only advancing in skill, but to also advance in self. The balance between self-awareness and work is very important. It connects to three major details that we consider to be a well structured and stylish work ethic for hair stylists to have: Passion, Uniqueness, and Perfectionism

What do you predict is the next big trend in hairstyling?

Feminine grunge with a mix of muted colours, with fusions of styles, disheveled, naturally tousled to encourage a messy, raw texture.

What are some recommended hair products?

Kerastase Oleo Curl, Kerastase Soleil, and Kerastase Noctogenist. See www.kerastase.com for details on all these products

Any tips on how to find a good hairstylist?

Ask around. Don’t be afraid to ask someone on the street if you like their hair. Many of our clients are word of mouth.

Tao Salon (1523 West 8th Avenue, South Granville)

What’s the story behind Tao?

We were running out of space at Statik and Caramel and started looking for a new project. There is no snob factor, or diva artiste types. We wanted to create an upscale, super modern but inviting environment that took service to a new level. So we took top talent from our two salons and started Tao. We wanted Tao to be the type of place you would have only heard of if you knew someone who went there, sort of a poorly kept secret. Our goal is to give our clients a “Wow” experience from the moment they walk in our door.

What makes Tao the best in Vancouver?

We don’t think we’re the best, but we do everything we can to take care of our clients and I think that makes us a bit different. We try to do more for them, as you can get a great haircut in a lot of salons, so the hair alone isn’t enough.

What’s the best way to find a good stylist?

Find someone on the street who looks like they have your hair type and their cut or colour looks good and ask them. Don’t get hair advice from a friend with totally different hair than you. Everyone wants to endorse their stylist, but not all stylists are great at all things (though they should be).

Who’s the biggest celebrity that you’ve serviced?

Anne Heche, Kristen Lehman and Marnie Alton have all been regulars at one time or another, Shannon Tweed has been in and you can sometimes spot one of your favorite personalities from Global News in our salons.

Suki’s Salon (206-1030 West Georgia, Downtown)

How did Suki’s come to be a household name?

Suki Takagi opened the salon in 1972 when she moved here from Japan.  Suki (trained at Vidal Sassoon in London) was different from the beginning as she brought technical hair cutting to Canada.  Suki’s was also the first salon in North America to use color specialists.  We have been able to hold our position and focus because our people are far better trained than other salons.

What makes Suki’s the best salon in Vancouver?

Suki’s offers the finest in hair and skin care in an exciting, comfortable environment that is totally focused on complete guest satisfaction.

What do your stylists predict as the next hair trend?

There are always multiple trends in hair and fashion.  We carefully track the trends but our Stylists are trained to custom develop haircuts that best match their guest’s hair type, face and body shape, and desires.

Product recommendations?

We carry, and recommend, Kerastase and L’Oreal Professional products exclusively and will be adding the ultra chic Shu Uemura Hair Care line in the Fall.

So there you go – inside information straight from the salons!  Stay tuned, photos and salon reviews will be up soon!

 

SHEAR GENIUS: VANCOUVER STYLE

Modern Mix Vancouver is having its first contest!!

First there was the Victoria Beckham bob. Then Rihanna was next. Katie Holmes didn’t lose out on that action either. So how does life – or should I say, HAIR, look after the infamous Hollywood bob?

Modern Mix Vancouver is challenging Vancouver’s top salons to create the next “it” haircut. One lucky MMV winner will have a chance to receive a complimentary hair cut & colour from one of Vancouver’s top salons.

Interested? Here’s what you have to do:

Send Modern Mix Vancouver a recent photo of yourself, your availability, and tell us why you have what it takes to set the next hairstyle trend.  We’re also rating the salons, so if you are the lucky winner, we will be asking you for a 150 word writeup on your experience. A photo of your before and after hairstyles will also be posted on Modern Mix Vancouver.

Deadline is Sunday, August 3rd 2008.
You must be available for the cut from August 5th to 15th.
Please send your applications to: modernmixvancouver@gmail.com

Participating Salons: Tao Salon, Suki’s, Ian Daburn

  

Name the Kiwi and win a trip to New Zealand

When the subject of travel comes up with most Vancouverites, I find that a top wishlist destination is Australia/New Zealand.  Perhaps it is the similarity in language and lifestyle – the laidback Westcoast lifestyle compared to the relaxed Australian lifestyle.

Anyway, here’s a cutesy contest for you.  Goway Travel just announced the sponsorship of a kiwi chick at Kiwi Encounter at Rainbow Springs in Rotorua, New Zealand.  (I have family in NZ so I have been to Rotorua before and it’s not some random destination).  As you may or may not know, the fuzzy Kiwi bird exists nowhere but New Zealand and its evolution is due to New Zealand’s island isolation. Despite it being a national symbol, the Kiwi is an endangered species and various organizations are playing their part to bring this icon back from the brink of extinction on the New Zealand mainland.

Suggest a name for the Kiwi chick in this contest and win a 5-day trip to New Zealand from Vancouver, San Fransisco or LA!

LUSH Cosmetics – Retro Party (July 5th & 6th)

Lush Cosmetics, known for its fresh handmade bath products and commitment to animal-free testing, is having a “Retro Party” at various Vancouver locations (Metrotown, Robson and West 4th Avenue) this weekend featuring their most popular discontinued products, giveaways and cocktail hour. It’s free to drop by and the event is from 12 noon to 5pm. 

Liz Chapman, the PR person at Lush sent me additional information on this event:

Have you ever had a LUSH product you loved and lost?  Celebrate the return of your favourite discontinued LUSH products with Retro LUSH!  Get in on the action on July 5 and 6 when your LUSH store will be hosting a fun 1930’s themed soiree, complete with giveaways, cocktail hour, the unveiling of LUSH’s Retro Mystery Box, and a chance to win a “Soap City” valued at $500. 

**CONTEST: In addition, you can also watch a fun film noir in celebrating of the launch of LUSH retro at www.lushtown.com and enter an online contest for your chance to win prizes.

**EDIT: I went to Lush Robson today and there is a contest there where you have to guess the weight of the soap and at the end of the month, the closest guess wins it all!

Holt Renfrew – enter to win a $3000 shopping spree

I never win online draws and contests, but maybe you will have better luck than me!

Holt Renfrew is holding a contest – enter to win a $3000 Holt Renfrew Shopping Spree with a consultation with a HR Personal Shopper.  Secondary prize: win one of ten $100 Holt Renfrew Gift Cards!  All you have to do is click here and sign up for the “Holts Style” eNewsletter and you will automatically be entered in the contest.  To receive up to an additional five entries, refer your friends after signing up.

Contest closes on June 30, 2008.