FASHION Magazine

Whether you’re pro-Starbucks or not, it’s hard to deny the appeal of the coffee corporation’s branding: no matter where you are in the world, you can expect the same quality, taste, design and products.

That consistency and standard of service is exactly what one Boston-based CEO is expecting to do with MiniLuxe, her six-location nail salon chain. In fact, in Sue Thirlwall’s words, she wants to “Starbucks the nail salon” and expand nationally.

One thing is for certain: if there was ever a time to strike when the iron’s hot, it would be now. The nail salon industry has developed into a booming $7.3 billion industry, and now widely offers everything from shellac manicures to nail art in salons across North America.

Also, as Thirlwall pointed out, nail polish and nail grooming still managed to do well during the recession, perhaps because of their lower price points. While the makeup industry is still recovering from the economic slump and only beginning to thrive again as of late, people like Thirlwall were able to begin their companies during the recession and still do relatively well.

“We’ve kept the price down. Our luxe 30-minute manicure is $19, and we guarantee it for three days. I believe the time is right because it is definitely affordable but also hygienic . . . we know we could charge more, but we choose not to,” Thirlwall said.

One catch with the industry is that despite what seems to be a constant crop-up of new nail salons, the demand for affordable and reliable manis is still high, and it can be hard to find a place that offers them.

If Thirlwall and other nail industry entrepreneurs like her can get the business formula right, then there will undoubtedly be thousands of girls (and guys) flocking to these salon chains.

By Lesa Hannah and Sarah Daniel

One doesn’t own a brush, the other relishes the pain inflicted by bristles. Lesa Hannah and and Sarah Daniel on why they hate/love blowouts.

Read what our editors say » LESA | SARAH

First there was Rouge Nail Bar, and now there is Bleu Blow Dry Bar (65 Fairmount Ave. W., 514-507-3003, bleudrybar.com), which has just moved in next door to the Mile End location. Who says you need a wedding or a fancy event to get a blowout? Have a hot date or important meeting, or just […]

The post Montreal beauty pick: Bleu Blow Dry Bar appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

The beauty pros at Toronto’s Tony Chaar Salon (11 Hazelton Ave., 416-920-9965, tonychaarsalon.com) and Schwarzkopf Professional (schwarzkopf-professional.ca) must know that I have had zero personal time lately, because they organized a personalized Girls’ Night In at the hair salon. It was incredible. Between clinking glasses with my six A-list friends (a television host, PR expert, multimedia producer, teacher, freelance book editor and my favourite eight-year-old), dropping M&Ms and Smarties into my mouth at regular intervals, I caught up on all of the important girl gossip and got beautified.

After cringing for an entire week at the sight of the inch-long roots reflected back at me from my bathroom mirror, I knew it was time to get my fix of blonde. So clearly, once I was ensconced in my long-time colourist Oskar Varela’s chair (from $120) it felt like coming home–even if it is my first time in his brand new eponymous salon, Oskar on Scollard (68 Scollard St., Lower West, 647-346-3306, oskaronscollard.com).

With all the Olivier-to-Halston scuttlebut (which some people are totally unhappy about), now’s the perfect time to familiarize yourself with the original. [A Shaded View on Fashion, Auntie Fashion]

Vancouver’s Toni & Guy salon is holding an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, with chocolate and gift cards hiding inside plastic eggs with the best hair we’ve ever seen. Points to the person who find the Kiss egg! [Toni & Guy]

Boutique perfumery Le Labo has teamed up with boutique laundry products line, The Laundress, to create a biodegradable rose-scented detergent. [Cool Hunting]

Curves are making another high-profile mag appearance—this time in Australian Harper’s Bazaar. [Refinery 29]

I am the queen of the home haircut disaster. To save a few dollars here and there I have, over the years, attempted to cut, perm and dye my own hair. (Please note that it has never once been worth it.) My most embarrassing memory involves a self-bang trim, dull scissors and lousy so-called organic dye that turned my hair a lovely shade of clown purple. So a few weeks ago, when my premature grays began poking through the years of layered dye jobs, my hipper, cooler friends subtly suggested that I splurge and get a cut and dye at Charlottetown’s most fun hair salon: Shear Talent.

Supernova the Salon Holiday Party December 4; 200-124 West 1st St., North Vancouver; 604-904-8448; supernovasalon.com. Treat your girlfriends to a night of pampering and holiday festivities at Supernova. Stylists will be offering free hair and makeup advice to get you ready for those fabulous fetes you’ll be attending this holiday season. Indulge in some delicious […]

The post Vancouver: A super salon party appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

The secret weapon behind Edmonton’s best tressed ladies and gents is uber-hairstylist Paulina Truong, who is to Edmonton what Frédéric Fekkai is to New York or Philip B. to L.A. and after 15 remarkable years in the industry (see her work at left), Truong has finally opened her own salon, Blue Gemini Hair Studio (14115-23 Avenue, 780-436-4783, BlueGemini.ca).

I apologize for being a little AWOL lately, but between all the fall fashion previews and trunk shows, there have been backyard barbecues, evenings at the beach (neither of which are good excuses, I know, but who doesn’t love the Celebration of Lights fireworks?), and of course, trips to the Islands, the Okanagan, and, next week, New York!

By Amanda Dipasquale

Ruth Smith’s philosophy is simple: “Love yourself as you are.” Smith is the president and CEO of Strictly Roots Hair Salon (154 Bathurst Street, Toronto, 416-757-1024, strictlyroots.ca). The reasoning behind opening up her own salon stemmed from personal struggles with straightening her naturally kinky hair. Beyond the damage she was causing to her locks, a deeper reflection caused Smith to realize she was trying to live up to a specific standard of beauty.

When the sidewalk begins to sizzle in the summer heat, lovelies dutifully don their open-toed sandals and officially “out” their fashionable feet. These 10 luscious lollipops run up stairs, leap over puddles and tap impatiently while standing in line for a latte. The latest slick lacquers range from pretty in pink to beach babe coral to dark and dramatic.