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

Happy New Year!

For us, Labor Day always seems like the real beginning of the new year. Whether you’re heading back from vacation, back to school, or back to your cool weather routine, Andre Chreky’s September specials will get you ready for a fresh start…at savings that make summer’s end easier to handle.

September Specials

• $25 Express Conditioning Treatment
• $40 Regular Blowout
• $65 Blowout with Flat Iron/Curls
• $75 Single Process Color
• $20 Regular Manicure
• $40 Shellac Manicure
• $40 Pedicure
• $90 Hydrapeeling Facial
• $25 Brow Wax/Threading/Design

 

And Don’t Forget…

Wednesday, September 4 – Restock your backpack! Refresh your travel kit! Save 20% on all retail purchases today.

Wednesday, September 25 – Let the other kids try their luck with apples. YOU know that the key to your teacher’s heart is an Andre Chreky Gift Card! Save 10% on gift card purchases today.

 

The Sunny Side of the Street
ANNUAL SIDEWALK SALE
September 26, 27 & 28

There will be gold dust at your feet on the sunny side of the street this weekend when our Annual Sidewalk Sale returns! Enjoy colossal savings of up to 90% on an abundance of retail items. Stock up on products for skin, hair, and nails as well as gift items (it’s not too early to think “Santa!”). Swing by, say “hi,” and scoop up these once-a-year discounts on the sidewalk of 1604 K Street.

Cool, Cool Summer

Summertime, and the living is easy. I love hearing where our clients are heading on their “me-time” getaways and family vacations…looking at their pictures on Instagram…and hearing about their adventures when they return. Members of our staff are also taking breaks and Andre and I are very close to locking in our own weekend slip-away plans.

Summer Sundays: Andre Chreky salon will be closed on Sundays through August 31. Our regular Sunday hours will resume on September 1.

Summer Reading: Writers need a break, too! We’re putting our Beauty Blog on hold for a few weeks. But we’ll be back in late August with exciting monthly promotions, newsy articles, amazing beauty tips, and – of course! – our wildly popular September sidewalk sale. Stay tuned!

Happy Summer, Friends!

Get ‘em While it’s Hot!

When you beat the heat at Andre Chreky this summer, you do yourself AND your wallet a favor! Save 40% on a slew of our most requested services throughout July and August. These spectacular savings will end on August 31, so stop in weekly (or daily!) and leave heat, humidity, and high prices at the door.

60-day Specials, 40% Savings

• Deluxe Conditioning Treatment: $30
• Clear Cellophane Treatment: $36
• Manicure: $15
• Pedicure: $33
• Brow Wax or Threading: $18
• Regular Bikini Wax: $21
• Brazilian Wax: $42
• Single Process Color: $60
• Aromatherapy Facial: $60
• Keratin Smoothing Treatment: $360

 

And Don’t Forget (This month AND next!)

July 3 & August 7 – Going through your products at record pace this summer? Save 20% on your retail purchases during our TWO summer Retail Roundups.

July 31 & August 28 – Summer is a red-hot time for saying “thank you” to hostesses, mother’s helpers, pet sitters, and house minders. Express your appreciation with an Andre Chreky Gift Card and save 10% on your purchases.

 

Summertime Quenchers
Moroccanoil Gift with Purchase

Fun-in-the-sun can work up a mighty thirst – for you and your hair! Avoid that parched feeling this summer with Moroccanoil. Purchase any Moroccanoil product and receive a lightweight water bottle with our compliments. Perfect for your beach bag, gym bag, or carryon. No limit on product purchases. Offer good from July 1–August 31, 2019.

High and Dry

Clients often ask me what’s the one beauty product I can’t live without in the summer time. Obviously, sunscreen tops this list! But my second-favorite warm weather style aid is dry shampoo. Specifically, Pureology’s Refresh and Go Dry Shampoo.

Surprising? Not really. Hair produces more oil in the summer; dry shampoo is the perfect way to absorb that oil and extend your blow dry between shampoos. It’s great for restoring volume if heat and humidity have caused your ‘do to fall flat. And, with UV ray protection built in, Pureology’s new dry shampoo also protect color-treated and natural hair from sun damage — a major bonus during the summer.

Pureology has some great tips for getting the most out of your dry shampoo:

If You Need to Refresh Your Hair

1. Hold the dry shampoo four to six inches away from hair and spray it directly at the roots. Start where hair feels oiliest, spritzing one section of hair at a time.
   
   Pure Artist Tip: Because Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo is a lightweight formula, you don’t have to worry about product buildup. But as with any styling product it’s always a good idea to apply a little at a time until you reach your desired look.

2. Using your fingertips, massage the product into roots and scalp so that the oil-absorbing action can take place evenly across the head. For extra lift, try flipping your head upside down while massaging the product into hair.
   
   Pure Artist Tip: Looking to correct “bedhead” or combat flatness after a sweaty workout? “After applying dry shampoo, blow dry on the “cool blast” setting, targeting your roots. This will help change the direction of your hair and will build volume.

3. Smooth hair with a brush or comb, or grab your hot tools for a restyle.
   
   Pure Artist Tip: “If your ends are feeling dry or have lost their shape, try adding a little bit of Pureology’s On The Rise Root-Lifting Mousse, then restyle.

Five More Pro Tips:

1. Add Hold and Texture to Fresh Hair: Clean hair, especially if you have fine or silky texture, doesn’t always hold a style well. Before attempting a braid, waves, or a messy bun, try lightly spraying dry shampoo evenly throughout hair for added grip. Your hair will still look fresh, but you’ll get a little bit of that grit that’s helpful for holding shape.
2. Make a Blowout Last Longer: It’s exasperating to wash your hair, blow it out, and apply product only to realize you’ve gone overboard with shine spray or moisturizing serum. If hair is feeling heavy from overly generous amounts of product, spray dry shampoo into trouble spots; it will soak up some of the damage.
3. Help Bobby Pins Stay in Place: Add grip to slippery bobby pins or clips that slip out of hair by spritzing them with dry shampoo before popping them in.
4. Prevent Oil Buildup: Shorten your morning routine by applying dry shampoo before bed. You’ll wake up with less oil and grease. The same goes for heading to the gym—a spray before your workout can speed up your post-workout beauty routine.
5. Help Repair and Protect Your Hair: It sounds counter-intuitive but applying a bit of dry shampoo on ends that feel dry can take away some of their static and brittleness. Because Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo is non-drying and has conditioning ingredients, your ends will feel softer.

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