Life Lately

As I’m writing this week’s newsletter, I was thinking about the weekend that had just passed and the time spent with my two girls. Sitting and staring at this beautiful brick wall in the salon, the sun hits it so pretty and I see the ‘E’ reflecting off the wall. I’m taken back for a moment as I finally have this rare opportunity to sit in silence after finishing a long day, listening to the sweet sounds of the towels rolling around in the dryer thinking to myself “Pam just enjoy 10 more peaceful minutes here before you head home and have to dive into your motherly duties.” - You know, the whole cooking dinner, cleaning, entertaining the kids, and so on (although Oma is babysitting and she’s probably whipped up something delicious for the kids). 

While I take these few moments alone, I think about my accomplishments and how I’ve never really stopped to give myself proper credit. I’d like to think of myself as somebody who is humble, but sometimes, that humble person never thinks to give themself that pat on the back they deserve without the fear of seeming too egotistical.

For the sake of everyone else who feels this way, I’m going to give myself that credit I deserve (and so should you). These last few months have been crazy, I’ve worked so hard to regain a lot of the time that was lost during COVID and there’s no slowing down in sight. In addition to running the salon, both my husband and I have decided to keep the kids home for the first semester of school and continue with online learning. This decision was not easy in the slightest. As I said in my previous newsletter, it’s so hard to make a decision like this when you’re already thinking of how you’ll be judged based on the choice you make for your own family. We’re always thinking about others' opinions and how they’ll view us for our decisions but we made our decision based on what we felt comfortable with as parents and what was best for our family. No judgment to all the parents who’ve chosen to send their children back to school this fall, some don’t even have the option so we’re feeling fortunate. 

Thinking about my family and reflecting on these decisions, I do what I do every day to leave something behind for my children so when they’re older, they don’t have to hustle as hard as I did (although we should all hustle). I also think to myself how hard my husband works every day to provide for our family so we can invest in our girls’ future.

We’re always trying to make the best of everything for them but what we sometimes fail to realize is how to make the best out of an experience for ourselves. Kids won’t always remember everything you do for them, but they will remember how they felt in a moment. They’ll remember the little things, those moments of spending time together, cooking together and laughing with one another. So upon reflecting, I decided to change my perspective. Instead of viewing homeschooling my children as another burden added to my plate, I choose to look at it as an opportunity to spend time with my kids.  This is time for us to watch, teach, and mould our little girls into something great. I think of all the opportunities I’ll have to learn with them, to share my own passions such as baking and reading but also time I will never get back if I don’t take this opportunity that’s presented to me now. 

Even though they’re not going back to school physically, we’ll still keep our first-day-of-school traditions like showing off our new outfits and parading around the house with their backpack swag. I’m even looking forward to slower mornings where we drink our morning tea on the front porch while I read a short story to them or have lunch in the backyard. To be honest, I’m not sure how any of this will turn out, but the one thing I’m sure of is that I will cherish this journey watching them smile every single day and holding onto them tight remembering that in the blink of an eye, they’ll be teenagers who would rather spend every waking minute with their friends instead of me. 

This pandemic may have caused a lot of terrible things, but it has definitely created some new beginnings I’m grateful for. Although we’re all facing situations of uncertainty, we should try to think of the extra time we were given with our families and those precious moments we may never have experienced if it wasn’t for COVID. 

Thanks again as always for your continued support here at Elevate and know that we truly value you more than you will ever know!

Pammy

XO

P.S. I’ve been loving @thefabstory’s IG account and their illustrations for dealing with our emotions and tips to help us with day-to-day anxieties. Check out some of my favourites below…

New Thoughts On A New Phase

Well, here we are in Phase Three (finally). Restaurants can now open their doors inside, parties of 50 are allowed outside.... everyone can get their brows waxed and the best one yet, it’s almost time for back to school! 

(Taken 2019 ) Harper wasn’t going to school but wanted to feel like she was

I must say, I’ve never felt so uneasy as a mother! For anyone who has a child or knows someone with children, they’re probably either excited to finally get their kids out of their hair (that beautifully elevated hair... lol) or are full of uncertainty and concern. 

When Doug Ford made the announcement, there were a lot of moments of joy with some serious deep concerns. I began to feel my throat close in, my chest tighten and I started to question everything. What will the school experience be like for my kids? How will they make new friends being socially distant? How are they going to breathe with their masks on all day long? Will I be okay waiting at home for a pick-up time? My mind is an endless thinking pot, 20 thoughts per second circling around. I wonder, am I alone in feeling this way? How do the teachers feel? 

(Taken 2019) Us moms sending our kids off at the start of the school year.

I then said to myself “don’t think about it or decide anything until the end of the month! At least then you may feel a little more settled.” The way I choose to see it is that the beauty in all of this is we have a choice. We can choose to send our kids to school and we can choose to teach them at home. We’re fortunate to live in a country that allows us the freedom to decide and that is surely a beautiful thing and nobody else should judge us for it. Unfortunately, I hear judgment passed from other parents all too often. If a mom wants to send their children back to school, other moms judge and make comments about how dangerous it is. Or, I hear it the other way around. Some parents are shaming others who don’t feel comfortable sending their children back, saying it will hurt their social skills. Seriously, we can do better than this! Putting the school situation aside, I believe this fear, anger, and anxiety have always been deeply rooted and this pandemic has just brought everything to the surface over the last few months (which I can fully attest to with my own personal experiences). All this time being at home, some alone or some with their families, has allowed certain issues that were buried to come out and it’s showing in the way we treat others. 

Reflecting on some of this negativity and judgment, this is a time for all of us to grow as individuals, and the only way to do that is to rely on each other. We need to be supportive and lead with love and kindness. We need to spread light around our city to keep the momentum up because you never know what the person next to you is battling!

All things said, as some parts of our lives slowly shift back to normalcy, we still need to deal with some of our own issues rather than burying them again. The world outside can wait and will wait! Work through what’s important in your four walls first. Remember, the situation this world is facing will not last forever, and we may never get back the time we have now so use it to the best of your ability to heal and work on yourself. 

Be the change

Be the heart of our city

And continue to grow and inspire one another.

#elevateyourself

Pammy

Xo

Ps. We are so close to being caught up with the waitlist appointments and feel somewhat “normal” again. With that being said, we are still quite busy and encourage everyone to book appointments well in advance so we can continue to get ahead!

5 Local Coffee Shops & Bakeries To Visit During Your Next Appointment

Whether it’s a coffee you’re craving or something sweet, you don’t need to go far after your hair appointment to indulge. With our new location, we’re loving some of these local coffee shops and bakeries that have managed to keep their doors open during these crazy times. From unique treats, delightful sandwiches to some amazing brewed blends - check out some of our favourite local cafes and bakeries you need to visit after your next appointment.

The Sydney Grind

2883 Lakeshore Blvd. W., @thesydneygrind

Just a few steps from the salon, our go-to spot for great-tasting coffee and homemade Aussie treats is The Sydney Grind. Along with the old favourites such as croissants, cookies, and squares why not try some of their Aussie-baked goods such as Lamingtons, Anzac cookies, Hummingbirds, or Fairy Bread? Order ahead and pick up! 

Tip: Don't forget to ask for the Pam’s exclusive Peppermint Tea Latte made with LOVE by Rima!

Sanremo Bakery

374 Royal York Road, @sanremobakery

Just a 5-minute drive away, Sanremo is more than just a bakery. Get your fill with a variety of baked goods (their doughnuts are to die for), sandwiches, pizzas, gelato, or espresso with their instant order service or curbside pick up service. 

Eric’s Handcrafted Butter Tarts

77 Seventh St., @craftedtarts

Located a few blocks south of us, if you’re in the mood for a melt-in-your-mouth butter tart - this is the place. Made with only the freshest ingredients, you’ll definitely satisfy your cravings with one of these treats. Call ahead to order your batch! 

Tatsu’s Bread 

3180 Lakeshore Road W., @tatsusbread

Get your sandwich fill at this artisan bakery. With bread baked daily, choose from a variety of handcrafted sandwiches, pastries, and quiches or stop in for a cup of coffee - regardless the aroma itself will entice you to walk in.

Black Goat Coffee

3261 Lakeshore Blvd. W., @blackgoatcoffee

This quaint coffee shop brews some seriously good coffee and also offers delicious sandwiches and pastries to-go. Their iced coffee is also another fan favourite along with their specialty list of brewed options like the Dark Knight, Hong Kong Iced Tea, and the Steamer. 

Intent Authenticity And Your Audience

Cheers to another one of my favourite days of the week... Sunday!

This newsletter really took a lot of circling around for me. With recent events, it literally had me circling around my house, my mind, my past, my future, my pain, my experiences, but mostly my thoughts.

The support I’m seeing through social media and in the news is incredible!  I feel like I’m witnessing what will be taught in the history classroom of my grandkids one day. We are truly living in a moment of history and I’m being as present as I can be during this moment and grateful for the kindness and support I’m seeing. With that being said, I want to speak from the heart and not from the mind, enlighten and not persuade, share peace and knowledge, not for likes and followers. 

With everything that has been happening, I want to challenge myself and others. I want to understand the person who holds hatred in their heart toward another human being for the colour of the skin and how they got there. I want to understand who in their life taught them to hate themselves so much. I want to go beyond a square box on my IG feed to represent a hashtag that roams in cyberspace. I want to know the WHY behind the people who are ready to make the change. I want to see what is happening off-screen. I want to know why the world has become so dependent on the Gram to be the forefront of everything. 

It’s so easy for us to repost a story, a GIF or a picture and write a lovely sentence, but what would we truly do if we were witnessing the murder of George Floyd. Would we go into fight mode right then and there, or would we record it to make a post about it later?

I’m sure there are many who are tired of this subject being the main focus of all platforms right now, but there are more people who are tired of not having their voice heard.

We are losing sight of the issue while trying to FIX the issue. We have less focus on the mission and more on the drama. We need to give people time at their own pace to do their homework and speak to them from our hearts. We are too quick to jump into debates and banters to defend instead of seeing the bigger picture.  

For those of you who don't know me as well, my name is Pamela Facey, born to a white mother and a black father in 1983. My mother was one who loved so BIG and so many. My father came to Canada from Jamaica just before his teenage years and shortly after met my mother. One of my father’s favourite things to do was to breakdance at the CNE.  Throughout their relationship, they faced many situations of prejudice. For example, they were turned away from a rental lease because after the landlord saw the colour of my dad's skin, he said he could no longer go through with the lease. Four and a half years prior to me being born, my parents had my sister Priscilla, who was named after Priscilla Presley! If you haven’t met my BEAUTIFUL sister yet, she has slightly curlier hair than me and is a shade darker (jealous). For years and years,  we’ve had to hear RUDE ass comments like "are you sure you guys are sisters?” or "you sure you're not from the mailman?"... ALL because of the difference in melanin we carried. Growing up I was confused with these comments. As I’m sure with your siblings, maybe some of you look nothing alike (one being blonde with blue eyes and one brunette with brown eyes) but because they share the same skin tone, nobody says anything.

I grew up hearing many people calling my mother a "N****r lover". I remember always feeling outcast in groups at school. I would find out on Mondays that some of my white friends had slumber parties on the weekend, but yet again I wasn't included. From kindergarten to grade 7, you could count on one hand the number of black students in the school. I had a best friend, Melissa Watts and she was different. She had freckles and poker-straight brown hair. We would sit by the Casio cassette belting out the songs of Whitney Houston, Boys 2 Men and Mariah Carey (who is still one of my fave artists today, because she was the only person I could identify with). She saw me as nothing but a human. She used to make me braid her hair every time we had slumber parties because she wanted her hair to look like mine. She made me feel accepted for who I was. In our middle school years, Melissa moved away to Brampton and me to Mississauga where we lost contact shortly after. 

I went into culture shock when I moved to my new school and the first girl to greet me was Camille Cross. A dark-skinned Jamaican girl with short relaxer permed hair, baggy jeans, and a tee. I felt like I was witnessing a TLC music video. she greeted me in these exact words "are you black?”, I replied stating yeah my dad is... her response was "cool you can hang with us then…” Confused but kind of excited and intrigued I accepted the offer. Although the colour of my skin is high yellow with a slight glow, my hair being super curly and fuzzy and my nose being broader gave my blackness away. FINALLY, I was accepted by someone because I was black. It felt like life took a turn for me! Now my whole circle of friends were black girls. I became more exposed to the culture which made me more exposed to the hardships. You see, there’s a lot of pain in the black community that goes unnoticed by many.  From a young age, most black parents have to tell their kids that life isn't going to be easy. My father told my sister at a very young age that life was going to be hard for her, she would have to try twice as hard at everything because people would only see her as a black woman.  Imagine growing up with that mindset. Imagine when you see it become a reality. Dreams are not pursued the same. You grow up in a generationally cursed mindset. When given fewer opportunities, there are fewer resources and many young black men end up in the wrong stuff to try to make a better life for their parents and mostly their single mothers. I’m not saying this isn't the case for any other race, but it is the most common case in the black community and for that, many frown upon us for it.

Believing that cliques and thoughtless comments from my peers in high school was a thing of the past, it carried on right into my early years of working at salons. My old boss would make comments about my husband being actually good looking or clients of a darker colour walking in asking for a blowdry and the girl at the front desk telling her we didn’t do her hair type but that I could probably help her. Comments like these have been flying around me my whole life because people feel comfortable telling me "you're black but you're not REALLY black". It is time now to put those comments to rest. Yes, I come from a mixed-race but these comments and views are not okay. 

Especially now, I see it with my own children, people even have the nerve to say to me "Oh wow she is so beautiful, and she has a nice skin colour, she isn't too dark".  Last year, my daughter Madison had a classmate tell her "white people are better than black people" so of course, Madison came home to ask if there was a side she needed to pick. It’s truly sad.

They’re beautiful because they’re beautiful.

What I want everyone to know is that people with black skin are like any other race and colour. I am black but I am me, I am kind, I love God, I love people, I am able, I am worth it, I've been broken but I am strong, I've been shot down but I am courageous, I've felt ugly but I am beautiful. I've been judged but only God's opinion matters to me. I've lost hope but I am faith-filled. I am white and I am BLACK!

If you can love me, you can love ALL.

So I stand here today asking all of you reading this to act and move in authenticity. Open your heart to those around you. Whether you’re driving around in your car, going for a walk, or even out running errands, truly look into the eyes of the black community. In their eyes you will feel their pain, you will see their soul and you will feel their heart. We all bleed the same colour so let's stand up in unity today! Not just because of a trending hashtag or an Instagram GIF, but because we want to be better. We want the world to change. Don't just do it because you feel like if you don’t you will be looked down upon, but do the homework. Talk to someone. Talk to me. Be the change. Be the light.

Enough is enough... Yes ALL lives matter but right now while the black community finally has been heard, BLACK LIVES MATTER! 

I’ll leave you with this from our pastor this morning, don’t react, respond. The world wants you to RE-ACT which tends to be quick and fast. Response is slow and deliberate. James 1:19 “everyone was quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

I love all of you, let's continue to be supportive and make history AMAZING!

xo

Pammy

Keeping Your Hair Healthy During The Warmer Months

As the long weekend arrived just as fast as it left, I’m happy I was able to spend it relaxing with my girls. A typical May 2-4 weekend is usually an unplanned one with no hopes of the weather ever being decent but still spending it with friends, bbq’s and drinks. This year was definitely different but no complaints here, I enjoyed some quiet time with family especially after last month’s major moves. 

As I mentioned in the previous newsletter,  I’m really looking forward to planting some flowers in our backyard. I’m even planning on including my girls to help, it’s a great learning lesson for all of us and another activity we can do together while we wait out this pandemic.  

Now that the coast is clear from any frost or cold front warnings, we’re definitely getting into warmer weather which means something for our hair and how we look after it. As we sit in the last leg of quarantine, we’ve been receiving excitement with the re-opening of our salon. In fact, I think excitement is an understatement. The amount of texts and calls we receive on a daily basis shows the anticipation of us opening our doors when we get the green light.  That being said, during this time now until we open, I wanted to share some advice on keeping your hair healthy as the temperatures begin to rise. 

First, I want you to imagine sitting in your car on the coldest day of the year with the heat blasting. Imagine your face right against the vent and how dry it would feel only seconds after doing that. Now consider that feeling when it comes to your hair being exposed directly to the sun. As much as we all love the warmth from the sun’s rays, it really does have an impact on our hair. That being said, I wanted to give some tips on how to keep your locks looking their best in the warmer weather. 

1. Give your hair some love.  This is definitely a non-negotiable! Give yourself a hair treatment at least once a week.  My go-to mask for summer is AG‘s Colour Savour Mask and Sterling Silver Mask. These masks not only make your hair look shiny but they provide SPF protection from the damaging heat. On a day when you’re planning on being outside, by the pool, or on a patio, you can use these masks on your roots and ends to protect your scalp and hair from any sun damage (think of it as sunscreen for your hair). 

2. Practice social distancing from your hairdryer.  I know everybody wants that silky soft hair but having that super close relationship with your blow dryer is going to dry out your ends and remove some of that smoothness. Try to let your hair air dry as much as possible to keep its natural moisture and to give it a break from the heat styling. The blow dry you do yourself vs. at the salon can be quite different as we pass over the hair at a quicker pace so less damage is done.

3. Make braids your new best friend. Depending on your hair type and with the right product, you can achieve a natural-looking beachy wave. Some product favourites of mine are Aegis Cloud, Taso Texture and Beach Bomb. Simply apply these products throughout and braid your hair in two to three parts to achieve that effortless beach wave look. If you need any more info about air dry cream and other products, just shoot us a DM or email us and we’d be happy to help until we see you again. 

And for when we do open, don’t forget to secure your spot by calling, DM’ing or emailing us to get on the waitlist now!  We’re looking forward to seeing everyone again and we can’t wait for you to see the new home of Elevate Beauty Lofts. 

See you soon!

xoxo 
Pammy

Hello May, Hello Sunshine!

May is definitely an exciting month, the weather is better, we have a holiday coming up and most importantly, Mother’s Day is this weekend! 

It seemed like only yesterday the world shut down and now we’re wondering what this "new normal" will be when businesses can begin to open their doors. For myself, I really wanted to continue living life as normal (but also as safely) as I possibly could. So far this month we celebrated one of the faces of Elevate, (my Lil bro) Aaron’s Birthday! I feel so old when I think of him already turning 26 years old. Wpah!

Aaron’s B-Day Cake!

As for our routine, we go for our daily walks with the girls, help them with their school work, have meals together, and do our best to keep positive, not just for them but for myself too.

May is also an exciting month for me personally because as you may know, I just moved houses. The house that I moved from was my "concrete jungle". It was a stacked condo townhome with WAYYYYY too many stairs. Long story short, I had no grass, just a 400 sq. foot rooftop terrace and two balconies. I thought the patio life was great until I realized that aging had made me develop a passion for gardening. There is something so beautiful about working outside, planting, and watching your hard work flower into something beautiful. The thing I like most is that flowers can be so simple,  just give them a little dirt and water and they grow - so simple. Now that I’ve moved into a home where I can plant, I feel like I’ll be saving a lot of money since I won’t need to buy flowers on a weekly basis (I hope). I can look forward to picking my own fresh flowers - something I’ve been excited about since we bought the house. 

As it begins to look like this is the last month we’re in quarantine, I wanted to take some time to reflect on the last few months of being at home with family. When you think about it, we had this amazing opportunity to sit, reflect, create and decide what we wanted to bring into this new normal. We got to evaluate our circumstances and enrich what is amazing and fruitful in our lives. We had the chance to detach and let go of what was no longer serving us for the greater good.  In a nutshell, this was our time to reflect on what really mattered in our lives.  Whether you wanted to change your hair, your car, your job, your circle of friends - whatever it may be. This time was/is for YOU! And while I’m excited to get back to work, the chance to slow down, taste my coffee (for once) and smell the roses was something I appreciated out of this entire experience. 

Speaking of roses, MOTHER'S DAY IS COMING!

Whether you’re a mother, have a mother, or lost a mother, let’s reflect on how important the job of motherhood is (especially during these difficult times). There’s nothing that can replace a mom, they’re what brings us comfort when we’re down - sort of like that comforting feeling of chicken soup when you're sick. Motherhood is a never-ending job that makes you want to rip your hair out, scream F%$k when no one is looking and cry in the shower, but at the same time feels so rewarding !

For me, I always felt like I had two moms, my mom and my Nana. Even though my Nana isn’t with us anymore, I'll write her a letter or a card and read it as though she was in front of me.  So, what are you doing to acknowledge your mama this year? Share with us what ideas you have for Mother’s Day this weekend! Even if you’re not a mom, make sure to call up a friend who is and tell her how amazing she is!  

Well, as the weeks pass and with Doug Ford’s updates, I feel like I’ll smile and laugh (but not moistly...lol) with you all very soon. I’m sure hair appointments are going to look very different when they start for the first while, but we’ll get there soon enough. I’m so excited to see all of you soon and for you to see our new Elevate home!

Don’t forget to reach out and book your appointment! You can either call, email, text, or DM us through our Instagram account (@elevatebeautylofts) to reserve your spot, and even if you don’t need to book just yet, drop in to say hello anyway!  

Love you all and see you soon.

 xo

Pammy

Welcome to March!

This month means new changes and A LOT of them!

It’s a busy month for everyone. With March Break, St. Patty’s, the first day of spring and changing our clocks forward, this month is packed full of events but it also means some pretty big changes for us personally. In case you didn’t know - we’re moving!!! 

I’m currently knee-deep in choosing backsplash tiles, faucets and light fixtures, wishing I could lay on someone's lap and have my head massaged lol (did I mention how comfy our new shampoo chairs will be???)

With everything that’s going on, I’ve been thinking back to my 20s. Having so much energy, I’d stay out late, party with friends or pick up and go anywhere I wanted just to have fun in a new city - you name it, I did it! Now as I approach 37, all I want to do is plan a weekend of doing absolutely NOTHING! I’ve never felt so pressed for time in my life. Between moving the business and moving my family into a new home, you could say I’m stretched pretty thin. As stressful as it is, I’m excited for these fresh starts. Moving into a space that’s slightly larger for my little girls to run around in is something that I’m really looking forward to but the in-between process has been incredibly tough on us (shout out to those friends with sofa beds)! Once all of this is done, I’m definitely booking myself in for a much needed spa day. So while we’re making this huge move with my family, I’m busy working away making a new home for Elevate, aka you guys! 

If you’ve missed some of the exciting updates on Instagram (and if you aren’t already... follow us @elevatebeautylofts), Elevate is moving into a brand new home with… NO MORE STAIRS!!!!! (I may gain 30 pounds).

I can’t even begin to tell you how long it’s taken to find the perfect spot. I’ve taken a lot into consideration when choosing the right space and I’m grateful for all the help from you guys.

a sneak peak of our new space

This spring, Elevate will be moving to Islington and Lakeshore in a cute and cozy store front location. We can't wait to celebrate this exciting change with all of you. You mean the world to us, and ME! As I always say, you guys are more than just clients, you’re family. I’ll share more details to come but for all who know me, I love a reason to throw a good party (hint hint)! Follow along on our IG account for sneak peaks on the moving/renovating process and the big reveal.

New address: 2849 Lakeshore Blvd W., Etobicoke M8V 1H8

 

Now for all who are celebrating St. Patty’s this year… this has always been a fun time of getting together, having a few of those greenish-tinted beers and enjoying the night out with friends and strangers alike. So while I’m moving into our new space, have one drink (or two) for me and enjoy the night! 

Before I wrap up this newsletter, I couldn’t finish without giving a special shoutout to our amazing, talented hairstylist and bride-to-be, Ashley. She’s going to be tying the knot this weekend and we can’t wait to shower her with all the love and good vibes on her wedding day! She’s going to make a beautiful bride, an amazing wife and her Fiancé is one lucky guy! We’re so excited for them both and to have some well deserved time off (I must say I’m a little bit jealous)! So while she’s away, you can still book your appointments with us via online or by calling and we’ll take good care of you!

Have an amazing week(end)!

Xo Pam

P.S. Stay tuned for our next newsletter - we’ll be giving away something VERY exciting in celebration for spring!

Your Hair’s Survival Guide to Winter​

Had enough of winter yet? Rest assured your hair is over it too. During these months, the weather can really put your hair and scalp through the ringer making it feel dry, itchy and dull. To keep your hair happy and healthy, we’ve rounded up a few helpful tips from the pros to keep your locks (and scalp) feeling lush all winter long.

6 Tips To Helping Your Hair Survive Winter

We’re all feeling the effects winter has on our skin. The exposure to harsh temperatures, blistering wind and the constant transition between cold to the heated indoors can wreak havoc on our hair. With this loss of moisture, our hair becomes dull making it more vulnerable to damage and dryness. 

So how do you save your hair from the harsh effects of winter? Check out these 6 helpful tips to help protect and prevent damage to your hair, keeping it happy and healthy all winter long! 

1. Keep your scalp hydrated

Healthy hair starts with your scalp so drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. A few helpful tips we find for getting in your daily dose of H20... fill up a large bottle of water that contains 8 - 10 cups and make it your goal to finish that bottle everyday. If you’re struggling to drink that much, try drinking from a straw. 

2. Avoid over-styling your hair

Winter weather already dries out your hair so using an excessive amount of styling products such as hair dryers and curling irons will only make the issue worse. Try giving your locks a break more often and let your hair air dry so you can save your ends. 

3. Snip-Snip-Snip!

You should be booking your hair appointments like you should be booking your teeth cleaning appointments with the dentist - every 3 months. This will keep your ends strong and healthy so you can avoid any breakage or split ends. If you’re thinking of booking yourself in for a trim now, we’ll just go ahead and save you time by giving you the link here… Book Now

4. Water temperature makes a difference

Washing or rinsing your hair in cooler water can prevent dryness and makes it easier to comb out those tangles. We know, we know… a hot shower feels great after you’re frozen stiff but washing your hair in hot/warm water tends to dry out the scalp and since it’s so sensitive, you bet it’s going to be extra temperamental. 

5. Give your hair some extra love 

If you’re feeling the effects of winter’s cold grip of death on your hair, try using a deep conditioning mask, a hydrating conditioner or an oil to introduce some moisture back into your locks. Try some of our recommendations below:

• Coming in March! AG Reconstruct Intense Restorative Mask- reconstructs extremely damaged, dry and chemically treated hair, restoring the hair’s elasticity for immediate results. 

• Coming in March! AG Vitamin C Line.

• AG Moisture Mask Infusion Treatment - An extensive blend of naturally hydrating ingredients, including AG’s Sea Complex, penetrate deep into the hair shaft, sealing the cuticle for immediate, long term moisturizing benefits.

• The full line up of Olaplex products (our personal favourite) 

See our full line of Treatments

6. Prep your hair before you shampoo 

If the rest of your skin is dry, it’s likely your scalp is dry too. To prevent flaking and locking in moisture, we recommend detangling your hair with a boar bristle brush before you shampoo to loosen up any dry skin on your scalp and stimulate blood circulation.

Well there you have it - our 6 top tips to keeping your hair healthy throughout these winter months. In addition to trimming, we also recommend coming in for one of our specialty treatments to give your hair the love it needs. Check out some of the treatments we offer to see which one works best or give us a call and we can help recommend one for you!

Xo, Pam

February’s here and we’re showing YOU some love!

First things first, I’d like to start by thanking all of you for the love and positive feedback from the first newsletter! I’m so grateful to all who took the time to read it and to those who are receiving this email for the first time - I hope you enjoy some of these personal posts as well as other fun newsletters in store including; promotions, updates and styling tips by the team! 

So here we have it! Just like that, January is over and February is here. 

Lately, I’ve noticed more clients and friends talking about being in this funk, aka “January Blues”. For years, I used to laugh at this term. How could seasonal disorder actually be a thing? But lately, I’ve started noticing it myself too. For one thing, it seems like the sun rarely comes out, the days are short, the hype of Christmas ended like it never began and January felt like a year, plus, it’s freakin’ cold! 

I feel like there’s only one way to get over these winter blues and that’s to get the heck out of them - and I’m not just referring to taking a vacation (although that would be nice).

I’m talking about escaping those blues from our minds. For starters, February is finally here and what’s February known for??? VALENTINES DAY! But then I thought to myself...well, what if you don’t have that "special someone" in your life? Gosh, this could take you right back to those Jan/Feb blues. So what better way to get a mood boost than to plan a girls night, and what’s even better is planning a girls night in your pjs with some wine! Love is the key to life, but we don’t have to only celebrate love in a romantic way. I truly believe every girl needs a good support system of another equally awesome gal! With that being said, we’re SUPER excited to be hosting "Girls Night In", the Galentines edition. Hosted by The Petal Pop Up, we’re thrilled to be collaborating with such an amazing group of women. Here are the deets to this fun event…

Date: Thursday, Feb. 13th 

Time: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm 

Where: Work Co (1 block away from Elevate Beauty Lofts) 

39 Advance Road

Etobicoke, ON

M8Z 2S6

Fore more details, check out  @thepetalpopup on IG, or purchase your ticket directly on their website.

 So what are you waiting for? Get your best gal, hop in your jammes and grab your ticket so you can shake those winter blues away!

xo Pammy

P.S. For those of you who are planning to look a little more glam around Valentines, book your V-day hair appointment today! And to add some extra love, all blow outs between Feb. 13 to 15 will receive a small gift from Cupid himself! Book today loves! 

Starting A New Decade On A Personal Note

Well, here we have it - it’s 2020. 

I actually can’t believe we’ve entered into a new decade! I don’t know about you but it seems like just yesterday all we could talk about was the year 2000, fast forward 20 years later and we’ve entered into another milestone!  

A few days before the start of this new decade, I sat down with my two closest friends (AKA my rib cages), and took some time to plan out what I wanted to create in the new year, but I also wanted to reflect on the past 10 years. What a freakin' journey it's been.... actually, what a roller coaster ride since the start of the “new millennium”. And since a new decade calls for self-reflection and personal growth, I wanted to share some of my own personal memories with you. From loss to love, a lot can happen and I wanted to share some of those with you.

So, where to begin? Well, in my graduating year, I tragically lost my high school sweetheart, a drunk driver ran me into a ditch on the highway, then I went a lil’ wild, I entered into a recording contract, I ended a toxic relationship, I fell in love, I got engaged, my engagement was called off, I went a lil’ wild again, I started a new relationship, I got engaged again, I got married on television, I became a mother, I went through marriage problems, I watched my sister walk down the aisle as her made of honour, I experienced the greatest loss ever (my Nana), I moved homes, I went through turbulent times in my marriage again, I had a miscarriage, I lost a good friend, I had baby #2, and last but not least,  I was thrown into opening a hair salon 10 days prior to having baby #2! WTF...

I’m pretty sure that isn't even the half of it but those are the memories I’m taking with me into this new decade.

From some of the heartache and stress I’ve experienced right up until today, I ask myself at times: how do I stand on my own two feet every day? Well, that’s the magic question. I’m not quite sure myself but here are a few things that keep me going… a good latte in hand, some girl time, forehead kisses from my kids and to hear the sound of their laughter.

And, of course, my clients....

After reflecting on some of these memories, I wanted to start the year off by focusing on gratitude. Opening a salon (especially right before I was about to give birth) was no easy feat yet during some of the hard times or those days when I didn’t want to get up to go into work - you (aka the client) - have been that driving force to get me up in the morning, put on my big girl pants and walk out that door. This salon is more than just a business. It’s my support system because of the interactions I have with you. Whether it be sad, happy or inspiring, you are that support that gets me through challenging times and for that, I’m grateful. I really wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you. Thank you for letting me be myself, for becoming apart of my world and for letting me become apart of yours. 

There is so much more in store for this upcoming year and I wanted to start with how thankful I truly am! As a good preacher man I know would say, "We only really show the highlight reel to our lives,” but I am all about the behind-the-scenes... as that is where the substance of life is!

Stay tuned for more personal notations from yours truly, helpful tips to keep your locks healthy and strong, and upcoming promotions!

I love you all.

Happy 2020!

Pammy Xo