Brit gives 5 STARS! What to expect at Kasia Organic Salon

A Euphoric Experience at Kasia....

1/19/2011

I love trying new things, especially when it comes to my hair.  I knew I wanted a sassy cut and some highlights to brighten up the tresses, but I wasn't exactly sure what to describe beyond that.  When I told this to Colette, she lit up and look like she had a great plan in mind.  Well, she definitely did.  My cut is fantastic, the color is TDF, and I feel a sense of well-being knowing that all my fabulosity came with the use of natural products and without harsh chemicals.

Kasia is a full-service salon which means your stylist is also your colorist, if applicable. I learned they also have a full-time esthetician and acupuncturist and have recently been featured in Minnesota Monthly for their detox services.

Their interior is warm and inviting, quiet yet lively, and smells wonderful from both the products used as well as the four blends of tea they offer to their waiting clients.  The blueberry pomegranate was phenomenal and served in a tea ball (my fave) in a big mug.

After my cut and color service was complete, Colette offered me a complimentary makeup touch up to finish off the whole look.  Their products are from a line in California and have a variety of colors to compliment all skin tones.  I will definitely be back to purchase the lip gloss that she picked for me - it was long-lasting without being heavy or sticky.  Colette walked me through the descriptions of all the products she used for me, both hair and makeup, and wasn't pushy about purchasing anything.  Too bad I didn't have anywhere to go that night because I looked gooooood!!

When it is time to check out, keep in mind that Kasia is paperless so you would not receive a receipt and, therefore, no place to write in a tip.  You can let your stylist know to adjust the final bill to a total that includes the gratuity of your choice.

Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Kasia and would recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat.

Time for a new Yelp pic to show off the 'do!!

Hey Informed Beaute' - Help spread the message of Beautiful Health to the community!

We know you face choices everyday regarding where to spend your time, and at Kasia, we sincerely appreciate you spending it with us.  We never take your trust for granted, and want to earn it everyday.  We take great pleasure in the "Beautiful Health"  service alternatives, and we aim to exceed your expectations!

Please consider telling  your "community" about your positive experience with us on  your favorite review site, Yelp.com

**Bonus!  We'll keep loving you right back and redeem you 10% off your next Kasia purchase!

Why Rating is valuable? 1) Kasia is strictly a referral and word of mouth salon and 2)  New guests find us online through a "search." These searches bring Kasia to to visibility through online ratings and interaction with our guests. 3)  New guests decide to try Kasia when they see honest reviews from wonderful friends such as YOU!

Waxing versus Shaving

Who is a good candidate for waxing?

If you are the type of person that hates spending the time shaving your legs, underarms and bikini area every other day and are prone to skin irritations like razor bumps and ingrown hairs than waxing is for you. To properly shave you need to soak your skin to soften and loosen the hair follicle, exfoliate the dead/dry skin cells away, use a moisturizing shaving lotion and shave.  This can take up to an hour to do your whole body.  Who has that kind of time time every other day??? In order to prevent bacteria from getting into the hair follicle you have to use a new razor every time you shave.  This can get very expensive fast if you are purchasing a quality razor that will give you the cleanest shave.

Waxing is the superior option to shaving because it will save you time, money and will nourish your skin's health by lessening the chance for ingrown hairs and exfoliates dead skin cells.  Waxing is a form of epilation that removes hair at the root of the hair follicle allowing the hair to grow back more slowly and less coarse. Most clients experience hair removal for 4 to 6 weeks.  Shaving is a form of depilation that removes the hair at or near the surface causing the hair to be blunt and start its growth cycle 1-2 days after shaving.

When is a good time to get waxed?

Winter is the best time to start on a waxing routine so that your legs, bikini and underarms are ready for the warm weather. Because our hair grows in 3 different cycles, we can train the hair to grow all at the same time by continually waxing every 4 to 6 weeks.  By the time Spring/Summer rolls around your legs, bikini and underarms will have less ingrown hairs, the hair will be less coarse and easier to remove and the hair will grow back slower allowing for hair free worry when wearing shorts, bikinis and tank tops.

Maintenence

Just like maintaining your hair color and style waxing takes regular visits every 4 to 6 weeks.  The savings that you will gain from not having to buy razors and shaving lotions and the time that you save will pay for itself after one waxing session.  In order to optimize waxing results between visits it is important to start exfoliation after 48 hours of being waxed to prevent the skin from growing over the hair follicle "ingrown hairs", nourish your skin daily with Jojoba oil and your favorite essential oil mix and most importantly not shave in between visits.  If shaving is done between waxing visits it starts the hair growth cycle from the beginning requiring more waxing sessions to get back on schedule.  If you have heard people say that waxing gets less painful each time you get waxed, this is true only if shaving is not performed in between waxing otherwise waxing will feel like the first time, everytime.

**Make your appointment today with Mariah and start training your hair to grow at the same time to get your legs, bikini and underarms ready for Spring Break!!  612 824 7611

Feather Hair Extensions are the HOT new trend at Kasia!

Light as a Feather....FREE as a Bird

Feather Hair Extensions have swept the nation from Florida to California and NOW Kasia Organic Salon is bringing them  to Minneapolis!

Note: the Peacock feather is a large piece we added to experiment with larger options!

It’s sassy, bohemian, fun, and a great way to try something new with no commitment.  The feathers are completely washable, wearable, and can be styled with low heat.

They are professionally applied by the Kasia team using an extension method which causes no damage to your hair, and can last up to 3 months.

With prices starting at $15, Kasia Organic Feather applications are only expected to grow through spring 2011!   We offer a wide range of colors and adding to our collection!

Take just 5 minutes out of your day and 'feather up' at Kasia!  612 824 7611

All feathers are sourced responsibly.

Spring/Summer 2011 Hair Color Trends

Spring/Summer 2011 Trend

Kasia Organic Salon  is getting the "ich" and taking the current month(s) in preparing and educating our team in how to bring you the hot off the press hair color trends for  SPRING

Brunettes The beautiful chestnut brown as seen on Jennifer Lopez will be huge this spring and summer months.  Creating a rich base with tons of shine and natural curl.  By adding beautiful light highlights close to the face creates an amazing glow.    The gradation of color as it gets lighter towards the ends keeps brunettes looking fresh and bright.

Redheads As we move into spring, redheads will become stronger, more rich and obvious.  Emma Stone is a great shade of red that makes her features pop.  as her seasonal inspiration. Luckily our Ammonia-free Color line at Kasia, does not fade like other 'red/color lines' do.   Dare to have some extra sass and personality.

Blondes Spring and summer, are about the "ombré style."  Drew Barrymore’s look will be a large  hit in  having a root area that fades into blonde creates a natural summer ‘at-the-beach’ feel.  Save on retouches by another week(s) and exchance your savings for great shampoo, conditioner, and treatments.

HERBAL FORMULAS FOR Hair Loss, Graying, & Acne NOW AVAILABLE!

HERBAL FORMULAS FOR Hair Loss, Graying, & Acne

We now carry herbal formulas available at the salon for hair loss, early greying, and acne!  Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas have been successfully used by patients for thousands of years to naturally promote beauty from within.

· Colorful Phoenix Pearl Combo (Cai Feng Zhen Zhu An Chuang Wan) is helpful for many forms of acne

·       Silken Tresses (Qi Bao Mei Ren Dan) promotes hair growth, and slows early greying

·       Yin Care is an external herbal tincture that has many uses, including treating acne blemishes, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, scalp dermatitis (including dandruff), as well as several gynecological issues.

These formulas are made by the most highly respected manufacturers, who use stringent quality controls.

Because these medicines have specific effects on the whole body, they should only be taken under the guidance of a licensed practitioner.  Our acupuncturist, Elizabeth Williams, LAc, is well trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and can prescribe formulas based on your own individual symptoms and constitution after an initial herbal consultation. Elizabeth will also help evaluate any dietary or lifestyle changes you can make.

Elizabeth is available Monday, Tuesday, and Friday each week for herbal consultations and acupuncture treatment.  If you are only interested in treating hair loss, early greying, acne, or other beauty concerns, a shortened consultation is available for $25.

An initial full herbal consultation to address health concerns is $50, and takes approximately one hour.

Come in today to naturally enhance your true beauty!

Top news story: Health Canada recalls hair smoothing products

Dec. 17, 2010- Health Canada announced on December 16 that it’s issuing a recall on ten “stop sale” hair smoothing products. The levels of formaldehyde found in these products exceed the limit according to Health Canada. The Allied Beauty Association has notified Salon Magazine that it “fully supports safe products and a safe workplace but also believes that its members are entitled to the benefit of sound science and current testing methods.” Questions have been raised over Health Canada’s methodology of testing and whether they’re using outdated information. The ABA says, “All we are asking is that Health Canada ensure that its testing methods are based upon sound science and, if hazards truly exist, then cosmetologists and the public are entitled to full protection.” Professional industry manufacturers and distributors are currently in conversation with Health Canada to review their testing methods. For now, distributors will likely be receiving instructions on how to handle this recent recall and will pass on the information to their salons.

The ten products being recalled by Health Canada are: 1. Brazilian Keratin Treatment by Marcia Teixeira 2. Advanced Brazilian Keratin Treatment by Marcia Teixeira 3. Chocolate Extreme De-Frizzing Treatment by Marcia Teixeira 4. Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy by Coppola 5. Global Keratin Taming System Strawberry by Global Keratin 6. Global Keratin Taming System with Juvexin Strawberry Resistant by Global Keratin 7. Global Keratin Taming System with Juvexin Strawberry Light Wave by Global Keratin 8. Pro-Collagen RX Keratin Treatment 9. IStraight Keratin (Advanced Keratin Treatment) by IBS Beauty 10. Brazilian Thermal Reconstruction by Cadiveu

Healing Use of Essential Oils for Winter

The onset of colder temperatures brings with it coughs, colds and flu symptoms. Adverse weather conditions and evenings that darken earlier mean that we all spend a lot more time shut up in homes and workplaces and less time out and about enjoying sunshine, even if we don't suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) we can all start to feel a little down. It is at this time especially, that essential oils extracted from plants during the summer months can really lift our gloom. We've all experienced the power of fragrances and their ability to transport us to another time and place – cinnamon, ginger and orange reminds us of Christmas, rose and lavender takes us to a summer garden.

Medicinally too, essential oils and the plants they are extracted from are becoming more and more widely recognised, from the honey and lemon blend we sip to ease our sore throats to the eucalyptus we inhale to clear our sinuses.

Kasia Organic Salon offers a range of Apothecary Diffusion Blends and Essential Oils that will boost your immunity, freshen up stuffy homes, ward off those winter viruses and raise your mood.

KASIA WINTER WARMING BLEND

Combine the following essential oils: 10 drops of "Spiritual" cedarwood 25 drops of  "Cheerful" bergamot 10 drops of Kasia "Universal Healer"  Lavender You can use the Kasia Winter Warming Blend to make a massage oil, just dilute 4 drops of the blend in 1 ounce of vegetable oil. This blend must not be used topically on the skin if you are pregnant or are going to use a sun bed within 12 hours (bergamot sensitizes the skin to UV light). The Winter Warming Blend can also be diffused into the air, use 3 drops diluted in a small amount of water.

KASIA SORE THROAT GARGLE

To soothe a sore throat and combat infection add just 2 drops of lemon-scented tea tree pure essential oil to a glass of water, use as a gargle and then spit out. Do not swallow, essential oils must not be taken internally.

KASIA MOOD ELEVATING BLEND

1 drop of  "Warming" Cinnamon Leaf

2 drops of "Happy" orange

This zesty blend is perfect for use in a diffuser to elevate your mood and give you some zing.

Changing Views of The Safe Cosmetics Act 2010

When I first started working with chemists 3 years ago, I was a proud signer of the  Safe Cosmetics Datatbase.   While I still stand by many of their articles, and much of there studies, I can see a common thread to many exposed thoughts around my field. You, and I must always thinking critically and empirically.  Who wrote it? What is the motive?  What is the backing of the research and other truth that surround it?

Yes, I DO believe cosmetics could and should be safer, and cosmetics labeling in the USA DO need more transparency. Safety can always be improved in any field, especially in the light of new scientific data, but SCA 2010 over-reaches what is needed to such an extent that, with the possible exception of distilled water, I cannot think of any cosmetic ingredient that would be acceptable under its terms.

Back from the Fall of the Roman Empire as the Grain Tax came from government, this is example of how the Government now rules the Free Market. This is how the "best for all mankind" will come into the personal care industry and regulate ALL and put many true capitalistic entrepreneurs OUT of business.

To bring in the other side, take your time to read about others comments on the .....

The Safe Cosmetics Act 2010

Read about Rober TIsserands Article Here

Quoted from Personal Care Truth Website: A Campaign Against Campaigns, Or One in Particular

The “Campaign for Safe Cosmetics” (CFSC) is a misnomer. It is NOT a campaign for safe cosmetics. It is a part of the political lobbying process engaged in by the Environmental Working Group, amongst others. In other words it is part of Ken Cook’s ragbag army of professional lobbyists (one of whom actually lobbies for an oil company), career  anarchists, and a large number of well-meaning, but naive, dreamers. They rely on misinformation, disinformation and downright lies in order to scare the ordinary consumer.

I find the existence of a campaign for SAFE cosmetics an abhorrent insult to the rest of the industry, as the implication is that, if you are not a signatory to this campaign, you neither care about the safety of cosmetic products and the products you produce may not be safe. There is an insufferable smugness about the CFSC – a “we are right, and everyone else is wrong” kind of attitude. It is unfortunate that, in fact, it is the CFSC that is wrong.

How can I make this bold claim?  Read the rest HERE.

What do you think? I would love to hear your view!