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

Taking Pride in Our Brides

Over the past 22 years, Andre Chreky Salon has paid particular attention to building our renowned Bridal Services Department. We love working with brides and are always honored when we are chosen to handle someone’s wedding hair and makeup. Our Bridal Coordinator, Winnie Scott, consistently earns kudos for helping the “beauty” end of the wedding run as smooth as silk, from the trial run to the “day of” services. Here are some recent reviews from elated bridal clients. I’m touched that they have taken the time to write.

“We can’t thank you enough for the amazing services!”
~Jordan, Married on April 13, 2019

“Highly, highly recommend!!! I was in a bind because I had had a hair/makeup trial with another salon, and I hated it. I contacted Serena and Winnie with Andre Chreky, and they got me in right away for my trial. I absolutely loved them! Rodney did an amazing job with my hair and makeup. My bridal party looked amazing, and I could not have asked for a better hair and makeup team.
~ Brianna, Married on March 23, 2019

“Excellent bridal party service! Winnie and the Andre Chreky staff did an excellent job preparing me and my bridal party for the wedding. Winnie was super organized and flexible in adjusting times. The professionals with whom we worked were fantastic — willing to make adjustments to hair/makeup to ensure everyone left happy. I felt the price for the value and service was very reasonable. We all received many compliments on our looks at the wedding. Would highly recommend for a worry-free experience!”
~ Sarah, Married on January 5, 2019

“Great stylists, great communication from front desk. My experience with Rodney was excellent. He exactly matched the hairstyle I had in mind, and advised me along the way during a couple trials I had with him. Very pleased with my wedding day results!”
~ Chris, Married on November 3, 2018

Berry, Berry Helpful

Few scents are more delightful than that of farm-fresh, perfectly ripe strawberries. Early June has me seeking out “pick-your-own” berry farms and the annual Strawberry Festival in Glen Echo, Maryland. In addition to strawberry pies, homemade strawberry jam, and strawberries swirled into my yogurt, I’ve come to appreciate the myriad health and beauty perks that strawberries have to offer.

Whether eaten (yum!) or applied topically, strawberries are just plain good for you – REALLY good. They have been shown to help aid in weight loss, heart health, blood pressure regulation, and reduced inflammation. My favorite fruit has even become a trend in the skincare world; you’ll find them listed as an ingredient in a number of treatments that aid in anti-aging and other skin concerns. Not only are they rich in antioxidants that help to fight the signs of aging but they also contain ellagic, which works to protect the skin against UV damage.

The high amount of vitamin C found in strawberries also helps to lighten dark spots that come from aging and sun damage. One serving of strawberries has over 50% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C. Used topically, high concentrations of vitamin C can help dull skin look fresh and radiant.

The acidic nature of the strawberries helps to reduce excess sebum and oils on the skin, which can be effective in controlling acne. Strawberries’ astringent properties combined with their antioxidants can also help treat puffiness in the eye area.

So grab your straw basket and sun hat – there are fresh berries just ripe for the pickin’ at a farm or farmer’s market near you!

Shore Looks Good!

Whether you are beach-bound or simply strolling in the sun on the sidewalks of DC, up your summer beauty game with these specials from Andre Chreky. We’re offering month-long savings on some of our favorite warm weather wonder-working services. Come as often as you like! Even if you’re not headed to the seaside, a visit to Andre Chreky is like a vacation unto itself…

June Specials to Elevate Your Seaside Status

• $35 Brazilian Wax
• $35 Express Facial
• $35 Clear Cellophane
• $35 Express Pedicure
• $35 Regular Pedicure
• $35 Blow dry After Color
• $35 Deluxe Hair Treatment
• $350 Keratin Treatment

 

And Don’t Forget!

Wednesday, June 5 – Trust us: papas like pampering, too! Stock up on dad-worthy goodies from our retail department and save 20%...just in time for Father’s Day!

Wednesday, June 26 – Summer abounds with impromptu invitations. Don’t wind up scurrying for the perfect host/ess gift! Stock up on Andre Chreky Gift Cards and save 10% today.

 

Pureology Gift with Purchase: 
Summer-Savvy Beverage Bottle

You AND your hair will stay hydrated this summer, thanks to Pureology. This month, select any two regular-sized Pureology products and receive this thirst-quenching bottle, perfect for carting iced tea or fruit-infused water. Offer good through June 30, while supplies last. One per customer.

Smitten with Simonetta

It feels wonderful when our clients are happy. It feels twice as wonderful when they refer a friend…and that friend is happy, too! Recently our longtime client and friend, Susan Biddle, recommended the salon to the fabulous Simonetta Capotondo. Local restaurateur Fabio Trabocchi invited Simonetta to Washington to help launch his charming restaurant Sfoglina. Simonetta teaches cooking classes at the Van Ness location and needed a new spring cut. She left with a smile on her face and a glowing review on Facebook:

“I came from Italy and now I'm living in Washington for my work. I thought it would be difficult to find a good hairdresser here.... fortunately, a friend of mine has suggested to me this salon. They are so kind and Andre is an artist with his scissors. In few seconds he understood what my hair needed and as if by magic now I have an amazing short cut, always perfect Thank you so much.... see you next cut!”

Simonetta is a professional chef and sfoglina (a professional dedicated to the craft of rolling out sheets of egg pasta with a pin and a board). Simonetta hails from Chef Fabio’s region of Le Marche. She graduated from the hotel school Einstein Nebbia in Loreto and placed second in the prestigious “Sfoglino d'Oro,” a professional pasta making competition held in Bologna. Simonetta’s passion for making pasta is linked to memories of her grandmother: the smell of the pasta dough, her grandmother’s skillful gestures with the rolling pin as she rolled the pasta, the sound of the knife as it cut through the dough to make noodles, and the enchanting vision of her grandmother unrolling the freshly cut noodles from her hands.

The restaurant’s lineup of spring and summer pasta classes with Sfoglina Simonetta Capotondo can be found at www.sfoglinadc.com. Book soon; classes sell out quickly! To book a private class with Simonetta for social or business groups email: sfoglinaevents@fabiotrabocchi.com. Meanwhile, read this April article in the Michelin Guide about Simonetta with tips for making hand rolled pasta: https://guide.michelin.com/us/new-york/dining-in/handmade-pasta-guide-simonetta-capotondo/news

Making the Grade

Have you discovered the website Expertise? If not, you should! The site offers a wealth of information that can guide you toward finding the very best professionals in your vicinity. This year, Expertise looked at 136 hair salons serving Washington, DC and selected the top 19. And guess what? Andre Chreky made the grade!

The Expertise team uses exacting criteria when evaluating and recommending a profession, whether it’s a dental practice, a roofer, or a wedding photographer. When whittling down their list of preferred salons, they considered:

1. Reputation – A history of delighted customers and outstanding service.

2. Credibility – Building customer confidence with licensing, accreditations, and awards.

3. Experience – Masters of their craft, based on years of practical experience and education.

4. Availability – Consistently approachable and responsive, so customers never feel ignored.

5. Professionalism – Providing service with honesty, reliability, and respect.

Unlike other websites and directories, a business can’t pay to be included on Expertise. This gives you, the user, the confidence to find and connect with exceptional businesses that are objectively qualified and authentically well-reviewed.

Thank you, Expertise for the vote of confidence! And thank you to all of our clients who helped us rank as one of the top salons in the DC area.

Hair Care with a Conscience

If you are as concerned as I am about the environment – and believe me, I am very concerned – then you’ll join me in applauding L’Oreal’s latest line of professional hair care products. Source Essentielle shampoos, conditioners, and masks are natural, eco-friendly, and vegan. How reassuring is that!

What do I love about Source Essentielle? Let’s see…

• Natural formulas containing between 80-99% natural origin ingredients
• Professional results designed to meet specific hair needs
• Transparent communication with a clear list of the ingredients
• Smart eco-design featuring refillable square-shaped bottles

To help us consume more responsibly, L’Oréal cites both the origin and function of most of Source Essentielle ingredients on the back of the bottle. Calendula, lavender, jasmine, immortelle flowers, and acacia leaves are just a few of the natural botanicals you can expect to find: no added chemistry = greater peace of mind. The packaging is intentionally square-shaped, to hold a maximum amount of product in a minimum amount of plastic. Even the number of products in the line is streamlined, with just three shampoos (nourishing, delicate and daily), one conditioner (detangling) and two masks (nourishing and radiance); each is silicone-free.

Of course, we want a beautiful head of hair to go with our high-minded purchases! Rest assured. Source Essentielle products are thoughtfully targeted for four hair types -- normal, dry, color-treated, and fine – and are “professional” caliber. Which means it’s easier than ever to achieve that salon-fresh look at home…while feeling better about your stewardship of Mother Earth.

 

Photo credit: www.lorealprofessionnel.com

Happy Anniversary to US, Happy Savings for YOU

Andre Chreky is turning 22! To show our appreciation for your support through the years, we’re celebrating with month-long specials on select services. Come as often as you want throughout merry, merry May. After all, it won’t be a party without you…

22 Anniversary Specials

• $22 Regular Manicure
• $22 French Manicure
• $22 Express Hair Conditioning Treatment
• $22 Chromatech Extend Hair Treatment
• $22 Brow Wax
• $22 Brow Threading
• $22 Brow Design
• $22 Regular Bikini Wax
• $22 Eyelash Application
• $220 Double-Process Color & Highlights

 

And Don’t Forget…

Wednesday, May 1 – Spring is a great time to check out the newest additions to our retail section department. Save 20% on all retail purchases today.

Wednesday, May 29 – What’s on your social schedule? Graduations? Bridal and baby showers? The first pool parties of the season? We have the perfect present! Save 10% on Andre Chreky gift cards today.

 

Debuts, Savings, and Gifts from L’Oreal!

We’re excited to introduce you to our new favorite product: L’Oreal Source Essentielle. It’s natural, eco-friendly, and vegan! This month, when you purchase the line’s regular-sized shampoo, you’ll save 40% on the detangling conditioner. Buy two Source Essentielle products, and a complimentary t-shirt and tote (worth $50) are yours. Offer good through May 31 while supplies last.

What’s New, Newlywed?

If you’re newly engaged, chances are you’ve started imagining how you want to look when you walk down the aisle. Even if you’re going for a very traditional presentation, a contemporary touch or two with your hair and makeup can create a bridal style that’s uniquely yours. Our Bridal Department can help you achieve these radiant looks, or work with you to create the visage of your dreams.

No-Care Hair
When it comes to bridal influencers no one in recent memory has had the impact of Meghan Markle. Following last May’s royal wedding, the Duchess of Sussex’s intentionally messy bun has been one of the most sought-after bridal hairstyles. Other care-free looks include windswept locks, loose waves, and face-framing tendrils.

Center Parts
If you want to give your everyday look a little something extra for your wedding day, play with your part. The classic center part was very popular on the Bridal Fashion Week runways. The style can be worn sleekly pulled back or softened with more volume. A pretty way to look like “you,” without taking drastic measures.

Bride with a Bang
Guess what: Bangs are back! Face-framing fringe was a huge trend during Bridal Fashion Week. Whether you opt for short and blunt, long and wispy, or tousled and boho, bangs are certain to be one of the season’s hottest trends. 

Lit-From-Within Skin
Goodbye matte makeup, all hail luminous complexions! Go for a gorgeous, allover glow by exchanging your pressed powder for a foundation with a dewy finish.

Blushing Brides
In 2019, brides are getting cheeky! Whether washes of dusty rose or a more vivid pink, well-applied blush brings out the bloom on all brides.

Eye-Catching Eyebrows
Bold brows are a trend that’s still on point. Whether strikingly thick or expertly angled, beautiful brows frame your face in such a flattering manner.

Polish Your Tiara
Meghan Markle has also changed the face of hair accessories. This season brides will be reaching for bandeaus and glittering headbands, reminiscent of the Queen Mary diamond bandeau tiara worn by the Duchess for the royal wedding. Thinner, unembellished headbands are also popular this year, creating a cool, minimalist vibe that is totally modern.

The Bold and the Beautiful
Remember the dainty sprigs of baby's breath adorning many a bride’s up-do? Consider the style wilted. This season, bold, statement-making hair accessories abound. Towering headpieces, swooping hats, and oversized blooms make 2019 the year to “go big or go home.”

Mazi Amazes

Among the many things our clients love about Andre Chreky are the many great restaurants in walking distance. Within a one-block radius of the salon you’ll find McCormick & Schmick’s, BLT Steakhouse, Mirabelle, PJ Clarke’s, Equinox, The Oval Room, Bombay Club and the newest addition to the neighborhood, Mazi.

Located next to the St. Regis Hotel at 1518 K Street, NW, Mazi offers new American cuisine melded with Mediterranean flavors, primarily Greek. Since its opening in December, the reviews on Open Table and Yelp have been wonderful. Diners have given shout-outs to the outstanding service, the lovely ambience, the delicious Greek menu, the large portions, and yes: the price point!

The next time you leave our salon eager to show off your new ‘do, meet a friend (or beau) for a meal at Mazi. I think you’ll be impressed!

Come Clean

With Washington’s famous heat and humidity just around the corner, it’s time to up your cleansing routine. Perspiration, sunscreen, and outdoor pollutants that accompany your walk (or lunch at a sidewalk café) clog skin, leaving your complexion dull at best…or worse, erupting in protest.

To combat summer’s onslaught, Guinot has launched the effective Clean Logic line of cleansing products. The collection is formulated with anti-aging properties suited for fragile skin. In addition to doing a thorough job of cleaning, the Clean Logic products help restore and provide lipids for improved elasticity. They also renew the skin's moisture barrier. Use them morning and evening to look your fresh-faced best.

Guinot’s Clean Logic Cleansing Cream
The Clean Logic Cleansing Cream gently and thoroughly cleanses and removes makeup with a creamy texture that moisturizes the skin. Guinot’s unique formula includes Logevitine, shea oil, and Hydrocyte complex with hyaluronic acid to rejuvenate, moisturize and strengthen the skin’s lipid barrier.

Guinot’s Clean Logic Toning Lotion
After your cleansing cream, apply Clean Logic Toning Lotion. It reinvigorates your face through gentle exfoliating, preparing the skin for any products to follow. Papaya, jojoba oil and healthy trace elements blend to eliminate dead skin build-up.

You’ll find both of these products in the Andre Chreky retail department for $55 each.