Welcome Back Leah

Those of you old enough to remember the show "Welcome Back Kotter", starring Gabe Kaplan, as the inner city school teacher, and a young John Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino, leader of the sweathogs gang, start humming the theme tune now. Those of you not old enough to remember it...........Click here.

Now that we have a theme song established.........

We are super excited to announce the return  of a local legend! Leah Orton is returning to the lab environment after a year on maternity leave.

Her first day back is august 15th! Come and show her some love.

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20 Questions with Mandy Brossard

How long have you worked at lab?

Just started. I love it here.

How long have you been doing hair?

8 years

Who is your favorite band right now?

I don't really have one favorite band, but my favorite album to listen to from start to finish is Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest and my favorite band to see live is Dirty Projectors ( they are amazing).

Where do you hang out when you aren't at lab?

The forest

What is your must have item?

My teapot. I can't live without a good old brown betty teapot.

What are you most embarrassed by?

Situations where I am forced to be the center of attention. I hate them and avoid them like the plague.

If I wasn't the world's greatest hairdresser I would be....?

I would have a farm where I grow and sell my own produce, and  my own art studio where i could work on my projects and sell them in small sunday markets.

Is winning the lottery a blessing or a curse?

It's a curse, definitely...................4,8,15,16,32,42.........

 

What was your worst date ever?

In my opinion all first dates are the worst dates. That has to be the most unnatural situation to put yourself in.

What is your act of green?

I don't know how to drive so I'm green by default since I commute to work, but, I eat locally grown produce as much as possible and I recycle so there is still some effort put in.

What was your best halloween costume ever?

Definitely when I dressed as Cyndi Lauper.  I got one of those cheap Value Village wigs and cut and dyed it with food coloring. It looked amazing.

What is your fashion accessory of choice?

An amazing pair of worn in boots

How many cats makes you a "crazy cat lady"?

Apparently just one, cause I have been called a crazy cat lady before.

What is your guilty pleasure

Thrifty's seven layer dip, it was high on my list of reasons to move back to the island.

Camping or Glamping?

Definitely camping. I am not organized enough for glamping.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A surgeon, but I realized that cutting peoples hair was less invasive.

Who is your hero?

Danny McBride from east bound and down. He is hilarious and that show is amazing!

Boxers or briefs?

I prefer a happy medium..........the boxer brief

Cat person or dog person?

I've always been considered a cat person, but i've recently been converted to the other side. I am a dog person now.

Last book you read?

"Dead Until Dark" by Charlaine Harris. It's the first book in the series that true blood (HBO series) is based on. It was pretty good, a lot like the series, do one or the other.

Mandy Brossard is the newest edition to the lab team and has joined us after a 6 year stint as a creative director for Pink Lime in Yaletown.

Wanna get your haircut by Mandy?

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One more week only!

You have only one more week to download Lab Summer Essentials Vol.1 from the website, so get it while it's white hot.

Dj Touchbass has crafted more tasty dancefloor booty blasters for you to enjoy. Look for volume 2 entitled "Disco Bliss" starting in August.

As always, lab is excited to partner with local dj's to keep bringing you the freshest mixes and to help you stay up to date on what's new. So keep checking back at www.labsalons.com for more great dj sets from your favorite salon!

Like what your hearing?

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Lab Loves Lucky

You, like many, may be unaware of our strong admiration for Lucky Bar and it's fine patrons. In fact we hold Lucky in such high esteem that anyone who shows up at lab sporting a lucky bar stamp still intact, will receive a discount on their hair service. For real.........

Time to start showering with one hand.

Still got a stamp on?

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Got Parking ?

Remember the first time you caught a Commisionaire in mid ticket writing fury. Your pace quickened as you first caught glimpse of the sadistic evil doer standing over your defenseless vehicle which could only lay in wait and watch as it's wiper blade was pulled back against it's will and a wretched piece of paper proclaiming your guilt was left behind. You waved your arms and declared your innocence at the excuse of only being a few seconds late, or just trying to get change, or your intention to move the vehicle toute suite..............but to no avail. Only met with a stone faced reply of "sorry I've already issued the ticket". You smile politely as most good canadians do but as soon as you climb into your now tarnished sedan, and close the door, all is not polite and nice. There, behind the safe and soundproof veil of glass you shout obscenities and boldly declare that this sad excuse for a rented cop preys on the wallets of honest, hardworking individuals who, despite their apparent efforts, still wish to support downtown local businesses. But this is clearly the final insult and the last straw. "Never again", you shout, "will I try to be so well intentioned, so virtuous , only to have my kindness be repaid with scorn and malevolence".

Sound familiar?

lab is now joining you in the battle against the parking brigade! We recommend using the conveniently located Yates Street Parkade located on the 500 block of yates street. When you do, please notify the front desk and we will give you 1 hour free parking!

Just one more way lab is helping you stick it to the man.

What are you waiting for?

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One humble request....

If your hair resembles any of these ........

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Summer Hair from a Songbird's Eye

Hair trends for women these days seem to be all about extremes; mid-length hair is hiding in the wings for now.  Runways are littered with long, flowing locks with heavy waves giving a throwback to the 40’s or short and cropped looks full of texture and play. Hair that has voluptuous body and movement proves to be more feminine than ever!  One thing I’m always reminded of while working in the beauty industry is how much our hair can affect our self image.  Hair these days gives us something to feel good about!  It’s glamorous and elegant while still being flirty and fun. It’s hair that reflects the inner beauty of a woman.  

"The 1940’s turned out to be one of history’s most dazzling decades.  Styles dripped with glamour and sophistication and it’s not surprising they’re making a come back. Seductively heavy waves mirror womanly curves and that deep side part looks flattering on just about anyone.  Pull out your hot rollers or your jumbo curling iron!  I love blow-drying with  a Kevin Murphy cocktail of ANTI.GRAVITY and BODY.GUARD for great volume and shine and then using the Schwarzkopf Glamour Queen hairspray with some hot rollers to lock in gorgeous curls that move and bounce." 

 

"Of course length is feminine.  But what I love about short hair is that it showcases a woman’s femininity without implying it with long hair.  Hair can be a security blanket of sorts and the flirty short styles we’re seeing a lot of these days prove that it’s the woman herself that’s beautiful, her hair doesn’t make her so.  Plus it’s fun, and playful and cute!  As a girl who has always been told she’s “cute” (trust me, I don’t always look like the photo on my business card), I can relate to all those girls out there who are tired of being “cute” and just want to be “sexy”.  But the truth of the matter is that being cute is sexy!  So embrace it!  Throw some Kevin Murphy MOTION.LOTION in there and air dry or just rough dry with your fingers.  Piece it out and play up great texture and shine with some Schwarzkopf Thrill Fibre Gum."

.

"I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want “beach hair”.  And it’s popping up everywhere, now more than ever, because it’s the best of all the hair trends out there these days.  It looks natural and carefree and lets a woman shine for herself without suggesting allure with her hair.  That’s not to say that this style isn’t beautiful, it’s just beautiful in a gentle and subtle way.  And it’s got those great waves and great movement that once again showcase femininity.  The only problem is, as easy and carefree as “beach hair” looks, anyone who has tried to achieve it knows it’s an ellusive style that can easily look forced or just blah. The Kevin Murphy HAIR.RESORT is a “beach hair” dream come true!  Mix it with some luxurious Moroccan Oil (which so many of you have come to know and love).  Scrunch it in and let your hair air dry.  Or blow dry your hair with your fingers or a round brush and scrunch in some of the HAIR.RESORT to give your hair that piecey beached out texture.  It smells AMAZING and a little goes a long way!"  

Signing out,

Katie “the songbird” Schaan

Wanna find out more about Katie's summer trends?

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Three new faces that'll rock your mop off !

Thanks to all of you lovely people who have been keeping the friendly stylists at lab so incredibly busy, we have decided to add some new friendly faces to the team. Since we opened our doors in March we have been flooded with applicants and stylists who want to work with the best creative team in town. These three are the cream of the crop and you'll see why.

Aahmes Deschutter 

Aahmes ( pronounced AH MEESE ) spent the last few years of his already impressive career instructing new stylists at the Aveda Institute. As soon as he showed up at the front door of lab, riding his longboard, portfolio in hand, we new he would be a good fit. Aahmes excels at modern barbering and carving and approaches his work with the tenacity of a master craftsman which makes him an perfect fit at lab 

Mandy Brossard

Mandy has moved to lab from one of Yaletown's trendiest shop's Pink Lime, where she worked as a leading stylist for seven years.  Her work is amazing, her style is cool, and she is the most fun person you've ever talked to at length. Mandy is tirelessly committed to fashion and possesses a style all her own, which makes her a perfect fit at lab.

Dave Arter

Dave joined lab fresh from the slice reality show Superstar Hairdresser Challenge where he ranked very high against some of this country's finest. Far from a flakey reality show celebrity, Dave is one of the most down to earth friendly people you have ever met. His work is flawless and his technique is second to none. If you don't know what you want but you know you need a change Dave is your man. He takes his time and gets it right, which makes him a perfect fit at lab.

Wanna learn more about one of these fine people ?

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