How to be Our Favourite Client ♡

We don't pick favourites but if we did they’d probably show up like this. These are the secrets to being the best client (and no it's not just bringing us coffee!)

1. Bring the inspo pics
You can bring 2. You could bring 25. We’ll help you narrow it down. 

2. Show up on time
We know what it's like to be on a tight schedule. Showing up around 10 minutes before your appointment gives you time to get settled, determine what you're wanting done, and fully enter relaxation mode. 

3. Tell us what you think.
Love it? Tell us! Need something adjusted? Tell us! We can do a lot of things but reading minds isn't one of them. We want you to love your hair! So we’d much rather change something while you're already here, then have you go home wondering why you didn’t say anything.

4. Prebook before you leave.
Nobody likes scrambling at the last minute looking for an opening. Make sure you prebook your next appointment (or two!) to guarantee you're taken care of. This is especially true when it comes to events! Trust us, future you will thank you.

5. Follow your at home maintenance. 
We worked hard to get your hair looking this great. Help us help you by keeping up with your at home treatments and care.

6. Take the selfie.
Good hair deserves photographic evidence. Tag your stylist and @basestudioyqr, we’re definitely reposting it.

Follow these rules and we’ll definitely be talking about how much we love you after you leave ;) 

(And of course, a coffee would be great too)


We are Canadian <3

Now more then ever it is important to be supporting our local brands which include

Surface Hair - A hair care line that originated right here in Saskatchwan, Saskatoon
Design Me - A independent start up hair/styling line from Montreal
Brand with a heart - A fairly new haircare line coming out of Ontario
Notice Co - Shampoo Bars - A innovative shampoo bar company from Calgary, completely waste free

Prarie Creek Candles - A soy based candle created right here in White City, Saskatchewan
Releaf - A providing CBD bath soak and creams from Calgary
Hello Belyoun - Jewlery for a cause - A family from Milestone, SK that started this company were on a adoption journey and have vowed that proceeds are going to the orphanage where they adopted their daughter.
Justine Marie Studio - A powerhouse artist, a number of her artwork peices are on display and available for purchase at the shop.

Coming in for a color? Here are some tips!!

Blondes: Come with day old hair. Dirty hair is important because the cuticle is already open allowing chemical services to have better end results. But not too dirty, one day is sufficient, as well as not built up with to much product.


Colours: Come with clean, dry hair. The colour will have less work to do penetrating the hair shaft.

Please avoid wearing your best outfit. Although we try to practice cleanliness, it's hard to avoid possible colour and/or bleach stains in the process.

Bring one to three photo references to show what look you're inspired by. This will ensure you and your stylist are clear on what the finished result should be. Showing more than three photos may cause miscommunications.

COVID UPDATE

Dear Valued Guests,

We are so so excited to see all your lovely faces again! You will no longer be required to wear a mask at the salon during your appointment. However, if you wish to continue to wear a mask, there is no judgment. For the time being staff will continue to wear masks. All sanitation protocols will still be in place, and we also ask that you continue to sanitize upon entering.

The remaining expectations will stay in place

We ask that if you have been sick or have been in contact with someone sick or have had a possible COVID exposure, please reschedule your appointment. If you have spring allergies, we ask that you still wear a mask as precaution.

We will still only be accepting debit or credit only. If you plan on bringing cash, we do not have change

Please come alone to your appointment. If your child has a scheduled appointment we ask only one parent come in with them. We would still like to minimize the amount of people in the salon.

We insist that you cannot be late for your appointment. If you end up coming late you are going to be interrupting another guests time slot. So please respect your stylists time as well as the next guest. 

Base Studio has the right to refuse service if we feel any of the requirements are not met. All requirements are subject to change as Covid-19 is on going and an evolving situation.

Thank you so much for your cooperation, also if you have the time, please leave your stylist a nice a review on Vagaro and/or Google. 

July 11th Covid Expectation Update

Dear Valued Guests,

We are super excited for things to starting to go back to normal. Starting July 11th, you will no longer be required to wear a mask at the salon during your appointment. However, if you wish to continue to wear a mask, there is no judgment. For the time being staff will continue to wear masks. All sanitation protocols will still be in place, and we also ask that you continue to sanitize upon entering.

The remaining expectations will stay in place

We ask that if you have been sick or have been in contact with someone sick or have had a possible COVID exposure, please reschedule your appointment.

At this time we will still only be accepting debit or credit only. If you plan on bringing cash, we do not have change

Please bring your own beverages and books.

Please come alone to your appointment. If your child has a scheduled appointment we ask only one parent come in with them. We would still like to minimize the amount of people in the salon.

We insist that you cannot be late for your appointment. If you end up coming late you are going to be interrupting another guests time slot. So please respect your stylists time as well as the next guest. 

Base Studio has the right to refuse service if we feel any of the requirements are not met. All requirements are subject to change as Covid-19 is on going and an evolving situation.

Thank you so much for your cooperation, also if you have the time, please leave your stylist a nice a review on Vagaro and/or Google. 

Base Studio COVID -10 Expectations Update

Dear Valued Guests,

There are a few extra precautions that we are taking moving forward.

We ask that if you have been sick or have been in contact with someone sick or have had a possible COVID exposure with someone or you have travelled outside of CANADA in the past two weeks that you reschedule your appointment. We would love to stay open and continue to make you feel beautiful so following these rules benefit everyone.

At this time we will be accepting debit or credit only.

Arrive no more then 5 minutes before your appointment. Please use the provided hand sanitizer before proceeding in the salon, your tempurture may be taken. (Any symptoms of being sick such are sore throat, coughing, sneezing, fever please reschedule; we have the right to refuse service and you will be subject to the reschudeling fee for not doing so)


Please come alone to your appointment. If your child has a scheduled appointment we ask only one parent come in with them.

Due to a shortage in disposable masks, we ask you to bring your own mask with you to your appointment. If you are unable to find one we do have a very limited stock to supply you with one at a small fee.

With colder weather upon us we have opened our coat area. Lysol sanitizer will be provided to spray your jacket with if needed. You will also have an option to sit on your jacket during your service, Please bring your own entertainment (books, magazines) for the duration of your appointment, as these items have been removed at this time to reduce contact. 

We insist that you cannot be late for your appointment - we have set aside time to sanitize before our next guest. If you end up coming late you are going to be interrupting another guests time slot and the sanitation process of the station that we are required to do to reopen. So please respect your stylists time as well as the next guest. 

Base Studio has the right to refuse service if we feel any of the requirements are not met. All requirements are subject to change as Covid-19 is on going and an evolving situation.

Thank you so much for your cooperation, also if you have the time, please leave your stylist a nice a review on Vagaro and/or Google. 

Base Studio Covid-19 Expectations

Dear Valued Guests,

There are a few extra precautions that we are taking moving forward.

We ask that if you have been sick or have been in contact with someone who is sick or you have travelled outside of CANADA in the past two weeks that you reschedule your appointment. We would love to stay open and continue to make you feel beautiful so following these rules benefit everyone.

At this time we will be accepting debit or credit only.

Arrive no more then 5 minutes before your appointment. The door will be locked when you arrive. Your stylist will greet you and provide you with hand sanitizer. Your Stylist will verbally confirm that you have not travelled and you have not been sick in the past 2 weeks. (Any symptoms of being sick such are sore throat, coughing, sneezing, fever please reschedule; we have the right to refuse service and you will be subject to the reschudeling fee for not doing so)


Please come alone to your appointment. If your child has a scheduled appointment we ask only one parent come in with them.

Due to a shortage in disposable masks, we ask you to bring your own mask with you to your appointment. If you are unable to find one we do have a very limited stock to supply you with one at a small fee.

Please leave jackets and hats in your vehicle. Please bring entertainment (books, magazines) for the duration of your appointment, as these items have been removed at this time to reduce contact. 

We insist that you cannot be late for your appointment - we have set aside time to sanitize before our next guest. If you end up coming late you are going to be interrupting another guests time slot and the sanitation process of the station that we are required to do to reopen. So please respect your stylists time as well as the next guest. 

Our staff have been certified by Barbicide and Preempt in regards to cleaning and sanitation of the space and tools to ensure your safety and ours.

Base Studio has the right to refuse service if we feel any of the requirements are not met. All requirements are subject to change as Covid-19 is on going and an evolving situation.

Thank you so much for your cooperation, also if you have the time, please leave your stylist a nice a review on Vagaro and/or Google. 

The Differences Between Color Services

It is important for us; your stylists to educate you; our clients on the services we provide. So that when you come into the salon for your appointment, you are not disappointed to find out we are unable to provide you the service you requested because of a time restraint. The best way to avoid disappointment is by booking a free consultation. It takes 15-20 mins to discuss your thoughts, goals and priorities for your hair. All color options provide time for drying and styling only.

Root Touch Up/ Lightener Retouch

A typical root touch up would be a root regrowth of 1/4 to 1.” of regrowth. Time wise this can vary per person from anywhere to 3-8 weeks. Depending on color and texture of the hair, regrowth longer then 1” can result in banding therefore different steps need to be taken to cover the hair.

This is especially important when considering a Lightener Retouch. There are multiple ways to create banding with blondes. Heat from the scalp cant create a band, as well as the lightener simply touching any part of the previously lightened hair. A lightener retouch also requires toning, which takes long then a typical color retouch.

In the blonde services section there is an option to “add base color”, this is not the same as a regular root touch up option. This is a 15 min window for your stylist to add a base or root smudge to the blonde services. If this is all that is booked, your appointment will be declined.

Balayage/Foilyage/Highlights

Balayage is a technique, which lightener is painted on the ends of the hair and left in the open air, resulting in a sunkissed look. This technique typically enhances the natural color resulting in warmer tones.

Foilyage is also a technique similar to a balayge where lightener is still painted to the ends of the hair but then wrapped in foil. The foil incubates the lightener, resulting in a higher contrast blonde which can be toned. Time additions would be adding a root color.

We also offer an EXPRESS service, which touches up the blonde around the face and on the hairline only. This type of service takes a smaller appointment time, and gives the hair a quick refresh without the full procedure of lightening out retouching the full head. An express service between your full balayage/foilyage appointments help maintain depth levels which creates the dimension throughout the hair, wanting full blonde ends is not a balayage.

Highlights are when foils are used to bring lightener up right to scalp. Cost additions can depend on the amount of regrowth. Time additions would be adding a root smudge. In the blonde service selection there is an option to “add base color”. This is a 15 min window for your stylist to add a base or root smudge to the blonde services. This is not a root touch up; If this is all that is booked, your appointment will be declined.

Full Blonde/ Color Correction / Creative Color

Full Blonde. Okay you crazy kids coming in brunette, or previously highlighted bringing in your desires of a full blonde color in a couple hours, this also includes any color lighter then what you have right now. Take a seat. First seat, preferably being a consultation in our chair. Or even message your stylist explaining your situation and we can book the appointment. These babies take time and money to maintain which I will fully explain in another post. But in short, wanting to become a full blonde, is a COLOR CORRECTION, you might not necessarily consider your current color needing to be “corrected”, but you’re looking for a blank slate. Which most importantly requires TIME. This also includes the colors that are fully blonde and then have a baby root added. We both need to prepare a plan to get you there.

A color correction would be correcting unwanted or undesired tones in the hair. This can be a result of many factors, examples consist of a blonde’s hair turning green from chlorine. The minerals need to be removed by a speical process before the hair can be retoned or colored, which then would be followed up with a conditioning treatment. Those extra steps require time. Another example would simply be, turning chunky foils back into a blend balayage. A brown pulled to much red is another popular one. A Color correction can also be going from a really light blonde to dark. Blonde hair requires a “fill” color to prevent your desired dark color from being muddy or hollow. Which again, requires time.

A creative color would refer to the fun bright colors such as pink and blue. Your hair needs to be completely pale blonde and then dried for these colors to appear nice and bright. You should also still inform your stylist if this is what you are trying to achieve so they can have the right colors on hand.

For these options it is always best to book a free consultation.

Extensions

Hair extensions are the most luxurious of salon services and over the years I have tried a few of the different types of extensions that are out there today; such as tape ins, micro loop, clips, halo and more recently the beaded weft. Choosing a method best suited for you can feel over whelming but it is as simple just to look at what factors your hair categorizes in as well as your personal life style.

Tape ins

Pros:

  • Fastest and the easiest method of application. It takes approx 30-60 mins for a full application

  • Panels lay flat to the head and are virtually undetectable

  • The safest method of hair extensions available as the weigh of the panel is spread out over large sections

  • Reusable under proper maintenance, approx 8-12 months

Cons

  • In the first 24-48 hours after the application, you cannot wash or excessively sweat as the tapes need to time to adhere properly.

  • The panels are prone to slipping, when any type of silicone or oil based products are used near the adheasive. This includes excessive sweating.

  • Can sometimes leave a sticky residue from slipping

  • Limited space on the head

Maintenance

  • Reapplication varies on the person, but they tapes will need to be moved up 6-8 weeks

  • Cost of hair varies from supplier $500-700 should be about the average for 120 grams, cost can increase depending on how much hair you are desiring

  • Cost of application varies from stylist, the initial appointment to install is around $120, removal and reapplication will cost you around $250

Beaded Sew in

Pros:

  • Slipping will not occur from product use

  • Still very lightweight

  • No glue residue

  • Easy to add more hair for more volume, by “stacking” wefts

  • Reusable with proper maintenance, approx 1 year

Cons

  • Application takes from an hour to an hour and a half depending on how many tracks

  • More Expensive

Maintenance

  • Reapplication varies on the person but should be moved up from 8-12 weeks

  • Cost of hair varies from $600-$1000, dependant on length and thickness, based on 120 grams, price will increase depending how much hair you are desiring

  • Cost for application varies from $150-400 depending on how many tracks you get

Clip-Ins / Halo

Pros

  • Easy to install and remove

  • Very versatile, you have the ability to change the look easily

  • Will last a long time with the right care

  • Very cost effective option - no expense to get them put in as you do that yourself

Cons

  • Can be heavy on finer hair textures

  • Clips could cause damage from pulling

  • (halo) Weight of halo can be heavy

Maintenance

  • Clean regularly compared to usage. If you wear them everyday, you will need to wash more frequently then if you only wore them for special occasions

  • Cost depends on quality you can pay anywhere from $200-600

Beauty Benefits Of A Silk Pillowcase

At this point in our lives; we are always talking about the newest facial treatments, the best skincare products, the newest diet that helped so and so with their breakouts, and how drinking more water helps with your complexion - but did you know that your pillowcase plays a key role in your hair and skin routine? We did the research and heres some of the reasons why investing in a silk pillowcase, wouldn’t be a bad idea.

  • Prevents frizz and helps split ends

  • Hypoallergenic

  • Helps with breakouts and extends your skin routine

  • Regulates temperature

  • Feels fabulous

Prevents frizz and helps split ends

Im sure most of you move around slightly when you are asleep. So with silk pillowcases, there is less friction caused from your head moving around then on your typical cotton case. The The short fibres on cotton can rub against the shaft of the hair creating unwanted damage, breakage or split ends. Less friction is a added benefit for everyone with hair extensions to. Less friction equals less pulling on the extensions which means smoother long lasting hair!

Hypoallergenic

Regardless on how clean you are, there will always be dust. Silk happens to have a natural resistance to dust mites and allergrens. Easy as that, and if your allergies tend to act up like mine, a silk pillow case makes all the difference.

Helps with breakouts and extends your skin routine

Think of it this way. Whatever you put in your hair, most likely will end up on your pillow, therefore your face. Silk is less absorbent then cotton, so it is less likely to pick any up pore-clogging bacteria. On top of that we spend probably thousands of dollars in our life time on our skin care routine. Since silk is less absorbent, our moisturizer will spend more time on our face then being soaked up by our pillowcase

Regulates temperature

An added benefit for your skin is that silk is a natural heat regulator. It will maintain body temperature and does not conduct heat, or static electricity! A silk pillowcase then helps to retain heat on those cold Sask. nights and keep you cool on those toasty summer nights.

Feels Fabulous

Silk feels LUXURIOUS. Theres really no better feeling then crawling in to bed after a long day. So why not make your bed feel a little more FABULOUS by resting your head on a silky soft silk pillowcase. Just changing out your pillowcase will instantly make you feel like a million bucks. Atleast I did. My next step will be changing my sheets to silk to. **Insert heart eye emoji here**

So if you haven’t yet switched to a silk pillowcase! I would highly recommend you doing so now. XO