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Wednesday, August 26, 2009



http://www.sweetspot.ca/MySweetBaby/pregnancy_you_should_know/10986/crowning_glory/
Sure, as moms-to-be our skin may be glowing, but our hair? Lifeless, colourless, dry and just plain blah. It’s not all that bad, says Alain Larivée, Canadian creative consultant for John Frieda. Here’s what we need to know to keep our hair looking its best both during and after pregnancy.
How do pregnancy hormones affect our hair?
Every pregnant woman notices very obvious changes in her hair during and after her pregnancy. It's absolutely normal to see changes during these miracle-making times. I've seen curly hair go straight, fine hair thicken, hair colour change and hair lines grow halfway down some women’s necks during gestation. I've also often seen hair fall out dramatically after birth and after breastfeeding.
How can we keep our hair as healthy as possible?
First and foremost, take your vitamins, eat healthy, exercise, drink water and sleep. All these good habits will have positive impacts on your body, your baby and your hair. Quality health-infusing shampoos and conditioners are always recommended for healthier hair.
Can we color our hair while pregnant?
Avoiding on-scalp hair-colour services during the first trimester is a good idea; there are numerous off-scalp hair colouring techniques that can be performed to keep you looking good. Follow-up with weekly treatments to keep your hair looking healthy.
How do we get the most out of our hair during pregnancy?
The easiest way to deal with your hair during pregnancy is to let it grow and keep it healthy with a weekly conditioning treatment. Book a regular salon visit and have your stylist work in a stylish braid; it's a smart-looking and fashionable way to feel good and comfy in your skin. At home, tie it back in a ponytail or a bun; long hair will make you feel more feminine -- something you'll appreciate as your body changes and your belly grows.
What should we do post-pregnancy?
A simple and comforting habit is to massage your scalp for at least 20 minutes a day. This will stimulate circulation at the dermal level and promote healthy hair growth. This is also a good time to cut off some of that length; an easy, out-of-your-face hairstyle is simply more practical. There are some very effective post-pregnancy growth stimulating treatments available, but wait until you're done breastfeeding before starting these types of regiments. You don't want your baby ingesting these substances. All in all, be healthy, use good hair-care products and don't stress out over your hair during your pregnancy and after childbirth. In most cases, everything returns to normal.
Now if only those grey hairs from all the stress would just disappear...



Alain joined John Frieda’s renowned editorial team in 2007 as the Canadian Creative Consultant for the John Frieda Professional Haircare division of KAO Brands Company. Passionate and unique, Alain Larivee, owner of CAJH Maîtres Coiffeurs salon, is one of the most sought after hair stylists in Montréal. Alain’s down-to-earth approach coupled with his meticulous attention to detail has won him critical praise by top fashion magazines and newspaper writers and has afforded him a devoted following by high-profile Canadians, including Sarah Polley, Kristen Booth and Colin James.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Graduating from a starter loft, Alain Larivée and Justin Voss moved their bustling hair salon around the corner to a brick building near the Atwater Market. Renovated with recycled barn wood and silver decor accents, CAJH attracts laidback clients who loathe hipster salons on the Plateau. What’s the angle? Voss is a master of colour correction, while Larivée specializes in curly hair.

Contact details:

743 Atwater St.
Montreal, Quebec
514-932-6303
 
http://www.wish.ca/100canada/listing/cajh-matres-coiffures/

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

From celebrities to runways, we've seen them everywhere; perfectly constructed curls. Here to help us achieve the same look with minimal effort is John Frieda's Canadian Creative Consultant, Alain Larivee.

Rollers and Curling Irons are coming back in a big way. Can you give us instructions on how to use them properly?


Always make sure to have a tail comb handy when styling your hair with thermal tools. By now, everyone has bought a set of hot rollers or owns a curling iron. The first step to achieve perfect, healthy-looking curls is to start with clean, blow-dried hair.

Work with untangled and combed out sections of hair. Starting at the ends, wind hair around the iron barrel or roller and use a tail comb to roll in shorter hair bits and layers as you work your way to the roots. The neater the section - the nicer the curl. The amount of hair in your section and the size of the barrel or roller will also play a role in the amount of curl you will get. Small sections on big rollers will create stronger hold and bigger curls. Big sections on smaller rollers will create tighter curls at the end with looser waves at the roots and so on. To give a little more hold make sure to add volumizing styling products before blowdrying and spray a small mist of curl-enhancing spray on each section of hair before winding.

Alain joined John Frieda’s renowned editorial team in 2007 as the Canadian Creative Consultant for the John Frieda Professional Haircare division of KAO Brands Company. He is also the owner of CAJH Maîtres Coiffeurs salon, and is one of the most sought after hair stylists in Montréal.


http://www.sweetspot.ca/SweetLife/kleenex_get_mommed/10664/catch_the_wave/

Friday, August 7, 2009

CAJH salon
CAJH salon
As I mentioned a few days ago in Part One, Nathalie is über-freaked out about ending up with a terrible haircut, but aren’t we all?
Find out how the first consultation went!
We walked into CAJH and met hairstylist Alain Larivée. Our super-skeptical Nathalie sat down and gave me the look that says, “I hate my hair and no one can fix it!” (You know exactly what look I’m talking about.)
Alain took one look at her ‘do and asked her to describe what kind of person she is and what she does for a living because a haircut needs to suit your lifestyle. We loved this part. I suggest you talk about this sort of thing during your own hair consultation.
He suggested keeping her hair long because something told him this gal was likely to tie her hair up. No surprise there. Nathalie ties her hair up almost everyday and a short ‘do would surely leave her wallowing in her own misery.
Alain then suggested creating more layers around her face to really frame it and to keep her bangs on the side. Removing them would make her head look too long. It would also give movement from top to bottom to prevent the lamp shade effect her hair is currently suffering from (voluminous on the top, flat in the middle, and flipping out on the ends). 
AlainIn terms of colour, he suggested a dark brown shade with highlights, which require less maintenance than streaks. It’s like he read her personality, which is what your hairdresser should do before you let anyone whip out scissors to slice and dice your ‘do.
We are really happy with Alain’s suggestions. Next stop: LaCoupe. Check back next week to find out what they had to say about Nathalie’s hair and get ready to vote for the hairstyle you think she absolutely needs to have!

Sunday, August 2, 2009