The only thing that is constant is change.
With the birth of every new season comes a new mind set and a new attitude. The long dark days of the winter season tends to bring us inside our homes and reel us into introspective moods.
Innately this moves us towards deep rich warm tones of colour in order to comfort our souls. It is a time to be mellow and quiet with our lives, slowly moving about while contemplating prayer to the workout gods that you get on the tread mill before that first tank top day.
Springtime opens up the sky and allows the sun to bare light upon our world again. As the ultra violet rays touch our skin, they also touch our hearts with a fresh view and open eyes. We see the patio furniture being dusted off and brought outside as winter jackets are hung back up for another three to five months. The flowers push their way out of the ground and grace us with a myriad of fresh colours. It is time for us to push out of the dark browns and open up our petals of fresh colours too. All we need is a good stylist for that.
The first winter thaw is the “root” of anticipation that brings us back to the salon, not only to cover the “roots” of our hair, but quite possibly to transform the dark and washed out ends into a fabulous new colour that matches the “budding” season.
With the dawning of fresh weather comes airy clothing. The garments are cut and sewed with precision and yet are freeing to the body: skirts are higher and material is lighter. Just like a new haircut, the shape is cut with precision yet length is higher and the texture is lighter. It is time to let go of mother nature’s scarf and free the neck.
Susie Goldenberg: Pop stylist
Happy New Year!
Happy 2010, another decade of hair fashion come and gone! So, what’s next for this new decade? Being a hair designer for the past 22 years, my forecast for hair fashion is to start applying a modern approach to style and design for the individual. Change your look every time you see your stylist, get out of that same old look, and if your stylist won’t do it, I will!
POP HAIR ARTIST,
Sandro Z. Zamparini
Christmas at the salon…
As a stylist, Christmas is my favorite time of year for several reasons. The season rolls in just after the last jack-o-lantern of halloween night goes dim. The TV commercials begin popping up and the whole city embarks upon the yearly ritual of decorating with trees, tinsel, and red and green ornaments. Christmas carols charmingly permeate the air dropping hints of religious sentiment, and lets not forget about the sweet scent of eucalyptus and cinnamon wafting around the malls.
For the hairstyling industry this is a time of high energy and absolute creative brilliance.
The Christmas season influences clientele towards colouring hair with rich cranberry tones, deep chocolate browns and caramel blondes. Clients attend their annual holiday parties also saturate the salon’s bookings with lavish formal updos, cuts and blow dries.
Along with the tremendous creative time comes a wonderful vibe amongst the clients and stylists. A client can come in from the cold, relax and sit down with a coffee, ( spiked with bailey’s if they’re lucky), and have a place to rest their shopping bags. They begin to warm up and chat about their holiday plans as they get coiffed. Slowly but surely the conversation moves from one chair to another sharing stories of turkey issues, travel plans and gift ideas. This mood always makes me feel as though for a moment in time we are all friends and family.
POP ARTIST Susie Goldenberg
Why do Women hate their Curly hair?
Wella Trend Vision Awards 2009
I would like to thank all the Canadian hairdressers who voted, and awarded me with the Stylist’s Choice Award at this year’s Wella Trend Vision Awards. It was a pleasure working with my make-up artist Courtney Costa, the designer Dean Hutchinson of Mi, and our model Julia H. from b and m models. Thank you to everyone who attended and gave us support….
Sandro Z. Zamparini, Artist, POP HAIR
Design your hair like your home…
The approach to hair styling and interior design has many common principals that should be taken into account.
With both my clients in the chair and in their home there are similar questions that must be addressed before developing a suitable design for either project.
The first is about lifestyle. This is the crucial jump off point on design development.
How do you live your life day to day? Do you need a style that is all about on the go? Are you dashing out of the house with only moments to spare? Do you need something that with keep up with your hectic schedule? Can you afford to spend that precious extra time on blow drying, curling,straightening (or dusting, mopping and vacuuming?)
Next and equally important is a question of how you see yourself. What image do you want to project to those around you? In essence, what is your core personality? Are you rebellious? Conservative? Demure? Sassy? Do you admire a certain era? Do you follow the trends with each season? Are you a lover of timeless classics?
The third consideration ties the two previous statements together and perhaps requires the most soul searching. What design really suits you? You may come up with conflicting statements. You want a white blonde statement hairstyle which requires root touchups every three weeks and a cut every six, but have barely got the time to brush your teeth. This is tantamount to the client who wants a pristine white and minimalist living room, but has 4 rowdy kids and a 60 pound drooling bull mastiff.
By examining the realities of your lifestyle commitments and balancing it with your ideal fashion style with give you the hair (or home) design that suits you best and keep you feeling that you’ve achieved the best of both worlds.
Here’s some of my favorite design quotes of people who have said it better…
“Form follows function - that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.”
-Frank Lloyd Wright
“I don’t design clothes, I design dreams.”
-Ralph Lauren
“Who ever said that pleasure wasn’t functional?”
-Charles Eames
“Form and function aren’t separate items. If we believe that style somehow exists independent of functionality, that we can treat aesthetics and function as two separate pieces, then we ignore the evidence that beauty is much more than decoration.”
– Stephen P. Anderson - “In Defense of Eye Candy.”
by Kelly Turnbull, POP ARTIST
Toronto International Film Festival…
The TIFF tends to bring in a whole crowd of film stars, galas and after parties. Along with the social scene comes the cutting edge of fashion, hair and all over complete glamour.
When it comes to the public attending a formal gala or a crowded roof top setting, all the party goers have one goal in mind : Dress to Impress! This fashion philosophy must never ignore the concept of great hair. A truly unique way to arrive at the party is to not have an over done bridal-like image, nor a look that suggests being the rebel of the scene.
A blend of these two styles creates the idea of being the ‘true artist’ or chameleon. ( A person who can attend a private film screening and following the film walk into a formal gala while fitting into both events in one evening.)
A wonderful example of such an image would be a texturized, semi-smooth chignon; lots of texture in the bun yet still maintaining a global geometric silhouette.
POP ARTIST Susie Goldenburg
Banish the Mask….
Usually summer brings trends of flowing clothes, hair, a natural sunkissed theme and a general feeling of less is more. Make-up trends usually are the same, bronzed or peachy cheeks, lighter colours, and in some cases, bare skin. With the heat and the constant temperature changes from air conditioned buildings into the sweltering outside, your pores get quite abused. That alone is a good reason to go about skin foundation with a minimalist approach. Also, it makes your skin look better.
I’ve counted a few too many beautiful women lately with no blemishes or bumps, sporting a mask made of layers of concealer, liquid foundation and powder, all of which is unneeded. When I do someone’s foundation I focus first on if they have any blemishes, and pat on with a finger or small brush any colour corrector concealer. If there are no blemishes, no concealer. Then a light dusting of powder just over the spots helps soften and blend the edges into the bare skin. Then onto under eye issues. Usually a cream consistency is best, with no powder over top as that makes wrinkles more apparent. If there are blackheads or large pores on the nose or forehead, maybe a touch of liquid on those areas.
And that’s it. Onto bigger and better things such as eyeshadows and lipgloss. If there’s nothing to cover up, when you put make-up on nice skin, it gives it a not nice texture and unattractive layer on an otherwise pretty face. Soon fall trends will emerge with darker and heavier make-up, so in the mean time, lets all give our skin a break and let it breathe and enjoy the lightness of summer!
Courtney Costa, POP Make-up Artist
summer fun
To all you sun bathers,,,don’t forget to protect your hair as well. What i recomende to all my clients
is Sebastion Potion 9 lite, which is A leave in conditioner that has protien qualities and spf to protect your hair from the sun.
from pop artist,sandro zamparini
dress it
In the world of buisness and commerce,there is a saying “DRESS FOR SUCCESS” .As a Toronto hair stylist and buisness owner I belive in this unwritten rule,because when I stroll our bustling Toronto streets I have to say overall people do dress well but many of times I notice people just let there hair go wild.In my opinion your hairstyle should be a prioriety,because it makes your first impression.Wearing a beautiful Chanel suit or a Hugo Boss with five inch roots,faded colour or side burns bushier than Elvis is a definate NO NO! I am not pushing vanity,it is about looking like a pro,so give your stylist a call and be a little more regular with your hair do,because if you look good you feel
POP HAIR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR : SANDRO Z ZAMPARINI
Here Comes The Bride….
Summer is here, and it’s wedding season. Being very much an editorial stylist, I take care of a lot of brides, so I just wanted to offer congratulations to all the blushing brides! But also, I’d like to offer a piece of advice for the hair to be. Keep the hair style for that special occasion more on the classic side of things, rather than anything too trendy. That way, it will always be in style.
Sandro Z. Zamparini
Downtown Style
When my husband and I decided to move from the suburbs to downtown Toronto, we were ready, excited and ready for a change. I was looking forward to being within streetcar distance to work, and not being stuck in traffic, or a snowstorm. On the other hand, I knew I will miss the ‘fun things’ about driving, like listening to my tunes and my hourly drive through coffee. Enough said, taking public transit allows me to observe people and how fascinating I find people’s individual style. I often get inspired by say, the girl with the purple hair with a cool cut and a killer outfit to match, or the handsome business man with retro fifties glasses and slick hair, or the sophisticated woman who knows how to wear her clothes well and always has a haircut that won’t go out of style. I could go on and on. All in all, we should be proud of the diversity of personal style we find in our world class city, and I mean CLASS!
Fashion Director,
Gisella Zamparini
Feelin’ Good….
Clients come to the hair salon, not only for a great style, but also as a treat for themselves. Often a client will leave feeling uplifted, relaxed and with a better outlook then the one they wore on the way in. Getting a haircut is an hour away from reality, and it’s a ‘pick-me-up’ for a rough day.
I actually want to reverse roles and comment on what clients do for the stylists. It’s only normal to have a bad day now and then, and we forget that human contact is usually the best medicine to turn a bad day around. Thankfully, we hairstylists, have the privilege of meeting a million personalities, and on a rough day we are lucky to have our clients ‘uplift’ us.
As a busy stylist, a day at the salon with a great team and cool clients always makes me feel better.
Education Director,
Tania
Roman Fashionistas
I went on a recent trip to Rome, Italy, and even when I travel, I pay attention to the fashion of the area. Now years ago, Italy was always at least two years ahead of the game in fashion. But now I believe Torontonians are right up to par with the Roman fashionistas when it comes to current trends. I have to say though that the Romans were ALWAYS dressed to the nines, whereas we still slack in that departments on our days off and grocery store trips. So Torontonians, lets give the Italians a run for their money and dress the fashion a little more, and more often!
Artistic Director,
Sandro Z. Zamparini
LOSE THE PONYTAIL!
Spring is finally here, but that’s no excuse for you long haired girls to start tying your hair in a ponytail. Ponytails are such a fashion crime, it makes me cringe. If this is because of your style, then it’s time to change the way your long locks have been cut. For spring, I’ve been cutting hair with a lot of texture, giving especially long hair tons of movement and volume. This is all part of my new collection called the “Martin”. All in all, lets lose the ponytail, and get your hair moving again!
Artistic Director,
Sandro Z. Zamparini
New York Fashion Week, 2009!
Fours days in New York City, three designers, two seconds until the models hit the catwalk, and one experience of a lifetime.
I had the opportunity as a Sebastian Core Team Artist to experience and be a part of NY Fashion Week, any hairstylists’ dream come true.
It all began with my eight hour delayed flight out of Pearson and an afternoon start the next day. A team of six Sebastian Artists and myself (the proud only Canadian), following the lead of Thomas Dunkin, an editorial stylist who has a reputation of doing ‘A’ list celebrities. Our first day backstage was creating textured looks by undoing french braids and combing it out. The cameras, the photographers, the media, it was all there. The second day was creating a slicked ponytail for the Charlotte Ronson show, set under tents at Bryant park. I had the chance to watch the show, with Samantha Ronson spinning sounds at the D.J. booth, with love Lindsay Lohan sitting front row along side other celebs. We also had the luxury of attending the Charlotte Ronson after party and dancing to the sounds of New York, with surprise, surprise, Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan there again! Our third day we were tourists in Soho and roamed the streets of New York, looking for sales. Finally, our last show was for a Spanish designer who wanted an elegant forties inspired design to complement his beautiful flowing clothes, all at prices i could never afford!
And so my experience ended with the team parting after that, everyone rushing to separate flights, and me with one more evening to walk Manhattan and soak up the remnants of Fashion week, and gain inspiration to bring home.
by Tania
Education Director, POP HAIR
Don’t Follow Trends….
Grow a backbone, use your brain, and be yourself.
Because really, what suits one person, may, or may not, suit you…..
Take what inspires you, what you like and enjoy, not what the media tells you is ‘in’.
Do not get a haircut just because everyone and their dog is sporting it. That should be reason enough to get something completely different. Why would you want to look like everyone else? You’re not the same person as that girl on the subway, so why should your hair look the same?
In the end, just listen to yourself. Unless this ’self’ wants a perm, wear blue frosty eyeshadow, and not bathe…… then there’s a problem.
by Storme Thurber
Short n’ Sweet
What is the most attractive thing that a woman can wear? Confidence. A short sexy haircut is a display of confidence. So this year don’t hide behind your hair. Cut away the safety blanket you’ve been hiding behind and showcase your face. Shape is key when choosing a short do so be sure to choose something that will focus on your best feature; for example, bright eyes, full lips, high cheek bones. So walk tall in 2009 with your shoulders back and the length….OFF!
by Emily Howard
Just Ask me…..
As I was walking through a local drugstore near my salon, I decided to have a gander at the hair care section. I couldn’t believe the selection of products they carry from professional brands. Now I ask myself do the people and cosmeticians working here really understand and have the knowledge to recommend the right product for the right hair type? So the asshole that I can be, I decided to put them to the test. I found a young girl working there, and asked ‘what’s good for my dry scalp?’ She showed me what’s on special at the moment, Joico K-Pak, which is a treatment for long, colour processed hair. My head is shaved.
Moral of the story is, ask your hairdresser what you should be using. Just ask me.
by Sandro Z. Zamparini
Artistic Director
Sandro Says Rock 09′
The New Year is right around the corner, so let’s get 09′ started on the right track. New year, new hair, don’t be afraid to change your hairstyle. Shed those turkey pounds from the top of your head, carving off the layers and discovering those beautiful cheekbones you were probably hiding. 2009 styles are about a strong fringe or aggressive layers around the face, whatever it takes to enhance your new look. In conclusion, jump off the band wagon and become individualized.
Sandro Z. Zamparini
Artistic Director, POP HAIR
Tis the season……
Now that the holidays are fast approaching, lets forget about our crazy politicians, the media killing our economy and lets just get all dolled up and enjoy our holiday parties they way we’re supposed to. Leave the bah humbug moods at the door, drink too much eggnog, and indulge yourself a little bit. See you soon,
Happy Holidays,
Sandro Z. Zamparini, artistic director at POP HAIR
Winter Make-up
With winter comes the urge to change up your hairstyle, and make-up should also be considered. Gone are the days of sunkissed cheeks and bronzer, as that orange hue on your skin under the grey skies of December look more like dirt than a healthy glow. Self tanner should also be put back on the shelf, cause what is so wrong with a creamy complexion? Nothing is more becoming with the holiday mood than a rosy cheek coming inside from the cold. Eyeshadow colours tend to become more serious in the winter, so you can contrast your paler skin with a darker eye or a deeper lip colour. But beware the winter winds, as they play havoc with your skin tone and texture. Keep a green coloured concealer at hand to camoflage red noses and patches, and always remember to bring out the heavier creams for day and night, as the softness of fur trimmed jackets will exaggerate scaly dry skin. Also exchange your normal mascara for water proof, so when you get caught in the snowfall on your way to work, you’ll be picture perfect when you arrive.
by Courtney Costa, make-up artist
I WEAR MOVIE HAIR
One of my favorite means of studying hair fashion is through the big screen esspecially the old classics from the 60’s like “Rosemary’s Baby” where Vidal Sassoon revolutionized the industry with his gamine pixie cut on a young Mia Farrow.Slightly tweaked celebrity Victoria beckham is sporting the same look forty years later.Goes to show you fashion definitely repeats it self,but with subtle changes to keep us ever so modern. Another hair influential movie is from the 70’s “Valley Of The Dolls”where the men are wearing shaggy looking hair cuts and wearing there sideburns ever so long and today guys are asking for that same look just like the crazy characters of that movie.In closing i ask you ; Are we that influenced by big screen ?
POP HAIR FASHION DIRECTOR , GISELLA ZAMPARINI
WEAR YOUR HAIR
In the world of business and commerce there’s a saying “DRESS FOR SUCCESS”. I as a Toronto hairstylist and business owner believe in this rule and as I stroll through our bustling city streets,I have to commend Torontonians do dress well ,but many of times I see hairdo’s gone wild for what ever reason .We should all be paying more attention to our personal grooming , because in my opinion your hairstyle should be a priority,your hairstyle is what walks through that office door first. Wearing a Chanel or Hugo Boss suit with five inch roots,faded colour or side burns bushier than Elvis doesn’t do any justice to that designer suit.With that said I plead to you ,you know who you are,so pick up that phone and get your stylist to tune up that hairdo, because that is dressing for success.Beside’s a wise hair stylist once said “IF YOU LOOK,YOU FEEL GOOD.”
POP HAIR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR , SANDRO Z ZAMPARINI