Hair. Most of us have it, and living in a town with four distinct seasons and every kind of weather imaginable, being able to tame it can be a challenge.
I turned to Candice Blayney, owner of Mane Attraction Hair Salon, for some advice. Blayney purchased Mane Attraction nearly five years ago. Growing up between Revelstoke and Vancouver, Blayney first trained as an aesthetician before going to hairdressing school. “I wanted a career and to be my own boss,” she tells me.
A hairdresser now for close to eight years, Blayney recently expanded her business, relocating to a bigger storefront on Mackenzie Avenue, hiring additional staff, and bringing in regular piercing and tattoo talents.
PHOTO: One of Candice Blayney's colourful creations.
Blayney has some suggestions for dealing with dry, frizzy hair caused by the summer heat.
“Summer heat can dry out your hair the same way blow drying it can,” she says. “But using a moisture line you can help lock in moisture and reduce dryness.”
Moisture is a good thing — it helps stop hair from breaking and keeps your hair glossy and healthy looking. Blayney’s salon uses a line called Lanza, an environmentally friendly, certified organic, carcinogen free product not tested on animals.
“All our product packaging is made from recycled material and is recyclable,” she notes.
In a town that gets rain and snow, hats and toques are a common sight. Baseball caps to beat the heat are popular, but how to avoid hat hair?
“I recommend a product like Evo’s Mr. Fantastic,” says Blayney. “It’s not rigid like a hair spray, so once you take your hat off you can use your hands to restyle your hair quickly.”
If you colour your hair, Blayney recommends heading to your local stylist, whoever it may be.
“If you have box dyed your hair, let them know,” she says. “It may affect the result of your hair colour if they don’t know, and they may not guarantee it will turn out exactly as you want.”
If you find yourself beating the heat at the pool, check out a purple rinse shampoo. “The pool causes a lot of build up in your hair that needs to be removed,” Blayney explains. “Purple shampoo, I use the Lanza line for this as well, removes minerals and environmental build up.”
People often notice their hair is much brighter after a purple wash, whether they are regular swimmers or not.
There are a few key points to remember about general upkeep. Most people don’t have to wash their hair every day; it’s healthier to wash every two or three days, allowing your hair’s natural oils to keep your hair healthy.
After you hop out the shower, as tempting as it is, let your hair dry before you brush it; brushing wet hair breaks strands. Finally, if you have curly hair, use a pick rather than a brush to avoid completely separating the curls and turning it to frizz.
And as Blayney, whose hair colour could be red or blue on any given day, suggests: “Have fun with your hair. You can always change it back, and it never stops growing!”