“My First “Loft” Experience

I was going through a difficult time in my life the first time owner of the Loft, Sylvie Prud’Homme gave my hair the big chop. I needed a pick me up and I wanted to make a change. Since losing weight wasn’t an instant fix, and a new outfit would get old quickly – the solution was simple – a new hairstyle. I was trolling instagram when I came across the chicest looking bob. I found it. The change I needed to make.  I immediately booked an appointment with Sylvie at The Loft on Queen Street. From the second I sat in her chair, she made me feel like a new woman who could accomplish anything! I found the new me.”

Read the full article HERE.

“While the summertime is the ideal time of the year to show off sun-kissed skin and colourful makeup, when it comes to hair sometimes it’s not as simple as that. Between jumping in and out of a chlorine-filled pool and getting your latest dye job zapped by the sun, sometimes your mane needs a little extra TLC in the summer.

We promise that it’s possible to have super cute strands in 30+ degree temps and not be a slave to your blowdryer. We’ve put together a full, all encompassing summer hair guide for solving the most common warm weather hair woes. These are all the tips you need to know for how to keep your hair happy and healthy this summer with minimal effort…”

http://www.flare.com/beauty/summer-hair-guide/

Growing up, my hair was my “thing”. I never really cut it (just trims) and it was long, virgin, and very black for basically my entire life. My hair became a sort of trade mark for me. I remember trying to go short while I was still modelling. My agent promptly warned me otherwise – my hair was like my selling feature. I guess “long black haired asian girl” was kind of a thing clients looked for.

Having left my modelling career way behind me when I was in my teens, I took a big leap this year and cut my hair to my shoulders. It was almost a liberating change. It was like getting a fresh new start. I guess I got addicted to the feeling of change, because I decided promptly after that I wanted more.

I decided to start the process to changing my hair to grey. I had always wanted to colour my hair, but there was never really a colour I liked… until this ashy grey came into the hair-picture. Understandably, it’s a process. I get that.

A little word of advice though, make sure you know and trust your stylist. I didn’t do enough research and started a process that would soon lead me to a hair mess. More on this in a later post though.

After my first bleaching session at Salon X (not to currently be mentioned), I already felt a big hit to my hair quality. It was no longer shiny nor luscious – it was dry, frizzy, and already had a ton of breakage (again, thanks to the mishaps at Salon X)

Thankfully, I had the pleasure of visiting The Loft Toronto for a Kesastase Fusio Dose treatment shortly ater this. I had met Sylvie, the owner of The Loft Toronto, before; but visiting her salon was such a joy. All the staff were like old girlfriends you hadn’t seen in a while … and they definitely knew their shit about hair.

Jessika was my Kerastase Fusio Dose doctor and she was not only fiyahhh because of her bright red hair but she also taught me a lot about what I needed to do to keep my hair alive. She’s only been cutting at The Loft Toronto for 1.5 years, but she styles like a supreme veteran.

The process started by Jessika giving me a thorough consultation of what my hair history was, what I was looking to do with my hair in the future, and what my major concerns were. The amazing thing about this is that the treatment is perfectly tailored to you and your hair… not just a treatment you ordered off the menu of a salon.

We decided to use a Colour Dose, a Repair Does, and Booster concoction for my treatment. I was told that the booster helped with density, moisture, shine, repair, and discipline and that this new and approved booster had 60% more effectiveness than their previous formula. BAM! And yes, I did actually feel a difference. My hair was so fried, it was impossible for it to get worse, to be honest.

The treatment lasts about 10-15 washes and supposedly reduces 50% of breakage. I would probably do this Fusio Dose treatment once a month. It’s super concentrated and gives you this sort of protection layer. Think about that amazing feeling when you apply conditioner and wash it out. Y’know, when your hair literally feels like silk. The Kerastase Fusio Dose treatment essentially does exactly that, but lasts longer than 10 minutes.

The treatment gets applied, is left on for about 5 minutes, and is washed out. Jessika ended up styling my hair afterwards with some more luxurious Kerastase products, and the end result felt like my virgin hair again. I seriously kid you not.

Although this treatment is amazing for any hair type, I’ve learned that if you’re bleaching/colouring your hair, this Kerastase Fusio Dose treatment is basically your life line.

As of right now, my hair sadly doesn’t look this anymore. The Kerastase treatment didn’t fade; but I did foolishly go back to Salon X to continue the grey-process. There’ll be a big feature on that though, don’t you worry 

Needless to say, I’ll be needing a crap load of Fusio Dose treatments in my near future!

We met Arthi and Janu back in December 2013. They called into the salon, booked appointments for cuts, and asked if they would be able to film the process. We happily said yes, and from then on Janu and Arthi have been loyal clients to the salon.

During their first visit, Arthi chose to take her waist long hair and cut it into a pixie cut. She blogged about her process and feelings on their website Aathma. Janu is 24, she is the creator of aathma.ca and is currently in school for Communications and HR Management. Her sister Arthi, 21, is in school for Biology and was recently accepted into Osgoode Law School.

We sat down with Janu to get her opinion on having short hair and her experiences:

What is the basis of your blog?

Lifestyle, I wanted to create a platform for myself. I found it hard to find a place to share my opinions and thoughts, so we created one for ourselves. The focus of the blog has changed from just fashion to culture and people and life, and just getting by as people that are evolving.

“Someone that requires no validation from anyone else is the strongest being in the world.”

What has been the biggest benefit of the blog?

After I started writing, and after my sister started writing, it pushed us both to be more outspoken. It made me feel more sure of myself. I feel like when you start getting your thoughts onto paper and seeing the words you are trying to say, you become more sure of yourself. That is where the name of the blog, Aathma comes from, it means the essence of being. It’s the part of you that is immortal.

What projects do you have coming up in the future?

Initially when we came into The Loft Toronto to get our hair cut, we wanted to put together a short little video about beauty ideals of society. After reaching out to a couple of girls and asked what beauty means to them, and what it means to be a woman, we realized that the response was overwhelming. We are putting together a short documentary on the topic. By the end of this year we want to have it up and out. We want to have a screening party. We want something for women by women about beauty. A lot of it touches on; the type of your hair, the length of your hair and how it doesn’t determine how beautiful you are. I am also working on a book of poetry. Hopefully the book and the short doc come out at similar times. But, my focus at the moment is on the documentary.

“I was going into radiation. So, with the prospect of potentially losing my hair … I thought, it’s now or never.”

Did you have the documentary in mind when you first cut your hair?

No, not at all. When my youngest sister, Abby, came in to have her hair cut shorter it was just us urging her to cut her hair and take a risk. She was a lot quieter and now she is very outspoken. It was a push for her to just go out there and be herself. And, for Arthi, I had been talking to her about how good she would look with short hair and we talked about change and stepping out of her comfort zone. One day when I told her, “you should cut your hair” her response was, “ya, I am going to do it!” I was surprised.

Her hair was long, she donated over 20 inches, and I thought it was just incredible.

For myself, I’ve been wanting to shave my whole head for a while. I knew I wasn’t feeling well at that time, and that I was going in and getting radiation. So, with the prospect of potentially losing my hair and  also wanting to cut my hair for so long I thought, it’s now or never. I told myself, “If I don’t cut my hair now I know I’m not going to cut my hair after, so I just got rid of it all.” Good news is I’m not undergoing radiation anymore and even more good news is I have short hair and I love it.

When you have your hair long , for so long, it’s hard to change.  You cut away everything that you hide behind and everything you know to be beautiful and you are forced to rely on who are as a person and not just the length of your hair and how nicely you can twirl it or flip it.

I am definitely grateful that I cut my hair. Coming from a South Asian upbringing where the length of your hair and how dark your hair is determines how much you are wanted as a women. So, it was kind of a big FU too.

Please elaborate on how it changed your confidence.

For my sisters, I think they had their own options, cutting their hair took away their chance to hide, so now they are more expressive. It is amazing to see them blossom.

I always found myself to be a bit of a loud mouth. For me, as opposed to making me louder, I feel it actually grounded me more. I was forced to look at myself, past my appearance, and internally and start to heal. It really started that journey of self healing for me.

How do you feel about other people’s reactions to you now that your hair is shorter?

For one, men don’t approach us the same way they use to.. Not that I want them to approach us, but it’s just interesting. Women are more inclined to tell us that they love our hair, they are more uplifting. It’s kind of beautiful, it unifies us as women. But, I definitely think that men don’t approach me as much and women approach me more to tell me they like my hair and that I am rocking it short. And, it’s the same thing for Arthi.

“The most interesting people are the ones that don’t fit into any boxes.”

How did your family react to each of you cutting your hair?

Any South Asian mom would be like “woah, you just cut your hair, it’s so short,” but our direct family has been really amazing. They were like “ok, cool you wanted to cut your hair, then cut it. Lose all the hair you want, but don’t lose the level of self respect you hold as a women.” Our family has always been very supportive. Extended family and people in our culture is where the negativity really kicked in “you have short hair now, you look like a boy.” And, for men they tend to react with, “why would you do that?” I find it to be really up and down. We get a lot of positive and we get a lot of negative but, for me, having short hair, I really don’t care what they want from me.

Do you feel there’s a stigma towards women with short or creative hair?

Absolutely. It’s true that when you meet someone for the first time, there appearance is the first impression. I think that we live in a world that everything needs to be put into categories, people just do that. They are comfortable with that, and if someone is not fitting into a category, then it’s awkward. Women are supposed to look a certain way and act a certain way and exude a certain energy, but I don’t think that is necessarily true. The most interesting people are the ones that don’t fit into any boxes.

What would you like to say to any women who are thinking about cutting their hair?

Why not, it’s just hair. Someone that requires no validation from anyone else is the strongest being in the world, so cut it.

We asked the team here at The Loft Toronto what their favourite fall trends are for hair and makeup.

Sylvie’s Pick

Our fearless leader is first up, her pick for. Her favourite fall trend is 70’s disco curls. Big curls are so glamourous, but you don’t need a fancy occasion to wear them. Large curls with a sweater, jeans and boots is just as fabulous.

Left hair by Sylvie, Right Kate Moss for Kerastase

Cait’s Pick

Cait’s favourite fall trend is the popular Long Bob, or “Lob” as we like to call it. The “Lob” lands just at the shoulders or collar bone, giving the client the benefits of keeping length but having a shorter hair style. Plus, if you like to wear it in a pony, this still gives you the option.

Left, cut by Sylvie. Right Thandie Newton

Heather’s Pick

Heather’s choice for her favourite fall trend is reds and coppers, or as she put it “the colour of the leaves.” Rather then going brown for the fall, try a shade of red, it’s beautiful, rich, and feminine.

Left, colour and cut by Sylvie. Right Emma Stone

 Makenna’s Pick

Makenna decided to choose bold cuts and clean lines as her fall trend pick. This is a good choice because no matter your hair length the client is able to obtain this look. Short or long, there are sharp and even lines all the way around the cut.
Left is a colour and cut by Makenna. Right Julianne Hough

Jesika’s Pick

Jesika went with a fall classic for her pick, bold bangs. Want a change for fall, but don’t want to lose your length, bangs are the answer. Not to mention they look adorable with a toque or fall hat.

Left style by Makenna. Right Zooey Deschanel

No Frizz. No Flyaways. No Stiffness. No Joke!

 The Loft Toronto and The Loft Urban Salon in Ottawa are now carrying Kerastase’s new anticipated Discipline Collection and we are amazed. The Kerastase Discipline line uses the power of natural Keratin to tame and repair hair for a smooth result that still allows hair fibers to move. Discipline outside, restoration inside. Does not create stiffness, loss of volume and no chemical damage, compared to Keratin treatments of the past. This collection can be used on all hair types that suffer from frizz, even fine sensitized hair. And, if you have curly hair, not to worry, this line won’t change your curl or weigh down your bounce.  If it’s unruly, Discipline can help.

Discipline offers two different options to tame your mane. First, an In-Salon Treatment, which is the first long-lasting intense hair care that masters smoothness with movement and facilitates a faster and easier blowdry. It is a highly concentrated, professional, heat activated treatment with lasting results and manageability. This means, when you go home you enjoy the effects of the treatment for the next  10 to 15 shampoos

Next, the at home system which contains a shampoo (Bain Fluidealiste) , conditioner (Fondant Fluidealiste), masque (Maskeratine) and frizz reducing spray (Fluidissime). The at home system can give you up to 72 hours of anti-frizz and anti-humidity, as well as faster and easier blow drying times.

Book your in-salon Discipline treatment or consultation today!

Toronto: Request an appointment or call 416-868-0202

Ottawa: Request an appointment or call 613-232-0202

Below are pictures of our in-salon treatment;

Last month we announced the expansion of the Loft Toronto and wondering parties want to know what is happening just above their heads, so we thought we would give you an update!

We will be officially opening the doors to the new expansion on August 14th! We are bursting with excitement for our clients and friends to view the space we’ve been working so hard to create. The new space will include a brand new colour area and an esthetician room. Watch out for the grand opening party announcement and see below for some hints on what the space will look like.