the beauty blog :: andre chreky :: the salon spa

Bridal Tidal Wave

While most of us are thinking of celebrating with family and friends over Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s, brides-to-be are thinking far, far ahead. With less than six months to go until peak wedding season, the Andre Chreky Bridal Team is busy making plans for spring brides and their attendants.

Our phone has been ringing off the hook with requests for offsite hair and makeup services. We can travel to your home, hotel, or wedding venue with styling services for bridal parties from one to 20…or more! If you’re interested in our “here comes the Bridal Team” service, call soon and we’ll put you on our calendar.

We’re also seeing a big uptick in bookings for our bridal mani/pedi parties. Brides and their mothers, bridesmaids, even flower girls are booking our pedicure room and private Bridal Suite -- the perfect way to relax with your tribe during your wedding week. Interested in some bubbly and gourmet nibbles? Winnie Scott, our Bridal and Special Events Planner, can help assist with catering and other special touches.

Meanwhile, our Bridal Services Team continues to garner 5-star reviews. Our client Angela posted hers on Wedding Wire:

***** 5 Stars

I am so glad I found Andre Chreky salon!!!

I had been in contact with makeup and hair artists that cancelled on me only a couple months before the wedding, but luckily Andre Chreky had availability. They were extremely responsive and scheduled a trial quickly. Everyone at the salon was so nice -- from the schedule coordinator, the front desk staff, and the artists. I will admit, after seeing my face with so much makeup after the trial I was a little ambivalent because I wanted something a little more natural looking, but on the wedding day Brigitte made the changes I asked for and it was PERFECT. Everyone was so nice and the bridal party had a great time getting ready! They even accommodated a couple more people who added services that day.

In the Thick of it

If you’re a fan of Bumble and bumble’s cult-status Bb Thickening Collection, you are going to love this news: the company has just updated this line with new formulas and styling products. Limp-haired lassies and lads, rejoice!

The Thickening line’s newest products are the Go Big Treatment, which helps to swell hair strands from the inside out, and the Great Body Blow Dry Creme, designed to add moisture and volume.

The goal of this color-compatible collection is to help you create a look that is tousled, amplified, and ruffled – no matter how fine, straight, or lank your locks. I’m a little obsessed with the beautiful scent, a medley of lemon, cucumber and bergamot.

You can find the entire Bb Thickening Collection at the salon…and if you stock up during our Retail Roundup on the first Wednesday of the month, you’ll save 20% on these products!

• Thickening Great Body Blow Dry Creme (New): Heat-protective creme moisturizes, volumizes, and holds blow dries.
• Thickening Go Big Treatment (New): Moisturizes and thickens.
• Thickening Full Form Soft Mousse (New Formula): Lightly hydrating foam adds volume, structure and shine for soft styles.
• Thickening Volume Conditioner (New Formula): Updated formula adds volume while gently hydrating.
• Thickening Volume Shampoo: The gentle cleanser pumps up volume while adding moisture.
• Thickening Spray: This pre-styling spray helps prepare hair for blow dries.
• Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray: Translucent dry spray helps to create fullness and texture.
• Thickening Creme Contour: This shaping creme melts into palms for soft texture to create contours and shape.

 

Photo credit: She's In The Glow

Masquerade Ball

This Halloween season, I suggest you stop by the salon for a skincare indulgence that’s pure “treat:” a luxurious Guinot facial masque. The Guinot line features seven at-home masques, each of which is targeted for specific skincare concerns. Use them once or twice a week, or as recommended by your Andre Chreky esthetician.

Hydra Sensitive for sensitive skin
Calming treatment masque visibly reduces redness, soothes and hydrates. Key ingredients: chamomile extract, corn extract, and Vitamin E.

Pure Balance for combination/oily skin
Purifying masque minimizes breakouts and reduces shine by decreasing oil secretion. Key ingredients: Olive tree leaf extract, pumice stone, and mattifying powder.

Vital Antirides for anti-aging/all skin types
Masque intensely moisturizes skin, smooths wrinkles, minimizes fine lines, increases radiance, and is ideal for devitalized skin. Key ingredients: dermostimulines and hydrocyte complex.

Eclat Lifting for all skin types
Rich lifting and firming masque restores elasticity and radiance. Key ingredients: pro-collagen, biopeptides EL & CL, alaeria esculenta, dynalift, and Vitamin C.

Anti-Fatigue for all skin types
Restores radiance to dull skin, invigorates and refreshes. Key ingredients: mint and eucalyptus essential oils, AHA complex, and dynalift.

Nutrition Comfort for dry skin
Moisturizing masque treats ultra-dry skin, instantly nourishing the complexion, adding radiance, and leaving skin super-hydrated and bright. Key ingredients: thyme, rosemary, and lavender essential oils; jojoba oil; evening primrose oil and avocado oil.

Hydra Beaute for dehydrated skin
Instant moisturizing mask for soft, supple and radiant skin. Key ingredients: hydrocyte Complex, shea butter, fig extract.

You’ll find all of these Guinot masques in our retail department. Buy them during October for just $25 each!

In the Pink

Sure, your autumn wardrobe is probably brimming with russet, gold, burgundy, and evergreen. But a healthy dose of pink is called for in October!

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This international health campaign is organized by breast cancer organizations worldwide to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for critical breast cancer research. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer and draws attention to the importance of self-examination, mammography, and early screening.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was founded in October,1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries (now part of AstraZeneca, producer of several anti-breast cancer drugs). In 1993 Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of the Estée Lauder Companies, founded The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and established the pink ribbon as its symbol.

The “think pink” initiative caught on in a big way. In the fall of 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors. In 2010, Delta Air Lines painted a Boeing 767-432ER in special "Breast Cancer Research Foundation" colors. In September 2015, a newer version of the livery was repainted on the same plane.

A variety of breast cancer awareness events take place worldwide in October, including walks and runs, and the pink illumination of landmark buildings. In the United States, the National Football League promotes breast cancer awareness by incorporating pink on and off the field, and comic strip artists use pink on one day in October.

In 1983 the first Race for the Cure was held in Dallas, Texas; 800 people participated. By 2002 the number of participants reached 1.3 million and the event was held in over 100 US cities. Today the race takes place in several other parts of the world.

Let’s take a moment to remember that breast cancer is not a “women’s issue.” It’s an issue that touches partners, sons, brothers, fathers, and male friends. It’s also important to note that male breast cancer, although rare, is generally overlooked. In 2009 the male breast cancer advocacy groups Out of the Shadow of Pink, A Man's Pink, and the Brandon Greening Foundation for Breast Cancer in Men joined together to globally establish the third week of October as "Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week".

Sweet Savings for Good Witches…and Warlocks

Call us batty, but we couldn’t resist discounting our most popular salon spa services, just in time for Halloween. No need to don a costume or hide behind a mask – with prices like this, you can afford to be boo-tiful all month long!

October’s Weekly Specials

• Mummy Mondays: $40 Haircuts
• Tricky Tuesdays: $30 Regular Blow Dry
• Witchy Wednesdays: $30 Express Facial
• Thrilling Thursdays: $50 Single Process Color
• Freaky Fridays: $15 Regular Manicure
• Wicked Weekends: $25 Blow Dry (only after color services)

 

And Don’t Forget

October 3 – Fill your trick-or-treat tote with sweet treats from our retail department. You’ll save $20 on all purchases today.

October 31 – Spookiest? Funniest? Most Original? Andre Chreky Gift Cards make great “Best Costume” awards for your Halloween party. Buy yours today and save 10%.

Straight Up…with a Twist

Remember when “Back to School” meant a new box of Crayola crayons in a rainbow of tempting colors? I get the same thrill each fall when Pantone releases their seasonal Color Trend Report. It’s a sneak peek at the colors that will be dominating the runway...shades that will instantly elevate a hardworking neutral wardrobe into “Autumn 2018.”

Pantone describes its 2018 fall colors as “self-expressive,” and “non-traditional.” Mainstay autumn colors like camel, chocolate brown, burgundy, and navy are not the part of this palette. But don’t relegate those trusty neutral pieces to the back of your closet! This season’s colors are, indeed, quirky: I think they’ll work best as accents. I’ll be trying these avant-garde hues in scarves, gloves, shoes, perhaps even a bold pair of tights, to offset my primarily black basics.

Red Pear
This soft and decadent burgundy is one of the only “traditional” fall colors in the lineup.

Valiant Poppy
A brave, outgoing, effusive red.

Nebulas Blue
An electric, celestial shade, reminiscent of twilight.

Ceylon Yellow
Somewhere between the true yellow of gold and the greenish undertones of brass.

Martini Olive
This smooth, urbane green is the understated outlier among this season's maverick picks.

Russet Orange
Slightly more red than yellow, this hue is reigning as the new orange du jour.

Ultra Violet
This year's official Color of the Year is a vibrant purple grounded by deep blue undertones.

Crocus Petal
A delicate, energetic floral shade that adds a light and airy spring-like feeling to the palette.

Limelight
“Animated and effervescent,” this pungent yellow-green color demands center stage.

Quetzal Green
This deep, elegant blue-green hue is suggestive of rich avian plumage.

Sidewalk Sale

Sidewalk Spectacular
September 27, 28 and 29

What are you doing the last weekend in September? If you’re a savvy shopper, you’ll be heading to the annual Andre Chreky Sidewalk Sale!

Every autumn, we clear our shelves to make room for new products in our retail area. Our loss is your BIG gain! Stop and scoop up rock-bottom bargains on shampoo, conditioner, bags, brushes, curling irons, blow-dryers, jewelry and unique gift items. You’ll save 50%–90%...a great way to get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping.

Our Sidewalk Sale takes place in front of the salon on K Street from 10am – 3pm. All Sidewalk Sale purchases are final sale – no exchanges or returns.

My Motives are Pure

Staying hydrated is incredibly important – we all know that, right? And I try…I really do! But sometimes it’s hard (or just plain boring) to get in the required eight 8-oz servings of water every day. Add to that the need to replace our electrolytes, especially after a rigorous workout, and the challenge can be even greater.

Recently, our longtime client Tristan introduced us to a hydration miracle product called Motive Pure. It’s an electrolyte supplement that comes in different flavors and is mixed with water.

Traditional electrolyte sports drinks contain sugars, artificial coloring, and other ingredients that do nothing to enhance hydration. Many "enhanced waters" do not even have functional amounts of electrolytes.

Motive Pure contains sodium and potassium, electrolytes that help our bodies absorb and retain water. Packaged as a portable liquid concentrate, Motive Pure mixes easily with water to create a naturally flavored, zero-calorie, electrolyte hydration solution.

"My favorite thing is called Motive Pure electrolyte hydration. It comes in different flavors. I had a problem with dehydration and exhaustion when I was in Israel. It comes in these mini bottles and then you pour it into 16 oz. of cold water. I also put Motive Pure in my water bottle when I'm working out." – Kathie Lee Gifford, Host, The Today Show

Motive Pure can be purchased at local Safeway stores, on Amazon, or at www.motivepure.com.

 

Photo credit: Motive Pure

Wave Goodbye

Summer is over and with it the trend for loose, beachy-y waves. As cold weather approaches, imagine your hair with an ice-sleek, smooth surface. The name of this trend is called “Glass Hair.” It’s all over Instagram and our clients are already clamoring for the look.

Originated by black trendsetters such as Taraji P. Henson, Kelly Rowland, and Yvonne Orji, this uber-slick style was first noted by the media outlet Refinery29. "…(Glass hair) is a sharp cut that is styled to look perfectly polished, smooth, and shiny—resembling the reflective qualities of the material."

This is not the easiest style to replicate at home. First you need to take the plunge and lop off your locks: you’re aiming for a bob or a lob. If your hair is unruly, consider a Keratin treatment. Next, arm yourself with smoothing serum, a large round brush, a directional nozzle on your dryer, and a finishing oil. Not sure how to get started or exactly what products to use? Your Andre Chreky stylist can walk you through your first Glass Hair experience, complete with DIY tips. Set up an appointment today!

I Do Peru

A trip to the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu has long been on my bucket list – maybe this year! In addition to my numerous travel guides I’ll be able to get further inspiration from the new Peru Collection by OPI.

The collection of nail colors was inspired by Peru’s stunningly varied terrain and culture. Says OPI Co-Founder Suzi Weiss-Fischmann “Peru is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous places in the world. The food scene is booming, with Lima boasting three of The World’s Best 50 Restaurants. The fashion scene is equally exciting…stunning textiles, artisan techniques and fine detailing.”

Peruvian fashion model Juana Burga, the face of the Peru Collection, traveled the country with OPI, showing off Peru’s incredible landscapes and history. “We met with artisans from the Peruvian highlands,” explains Weiss-Fischmann. “These women and their craft inspired many of the collection’s colors. In exchange, we shared with them our own love of color through nail lacquer. Color is a universal language…a visual cue that connects us with our environment and emotions.”

OPI drew inspiration from a wide range of Peruvian delights:

• Earthy, sandy landscapes with dusty mauve undertones (Machu Peach-u, Somewhere Over the Rainbow Mountains, Suzi Will Quechua Later!, Seven Wonders of OPI)
• Beautifully crafted textiles with vibrant statement hues (Lima Tell You About This Color!, Alpaca My Bags, Don’t Toot My Flute, Grandma Kissed a Gaucho).
• Red sand beaches, colorful historic buildings, and the burgundies of the Peruvian Flag (My Solar Clock is Ticking, I Love You Just Be-Cusco, Como se Llama?, Yes My Condor Can-do!)

You’ll find the Peru Collection by OPI at the salon…where I’ll be training for the Andes by climbing our many, many stairs!