lab salon

3rd annual Cuts for Coats !

2012-01-04T12:32:00.000-08:00

Thank You for loving the Lab Blog!

2011-11-22T14:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Some time ago we decided to streamline our blog, to remove the needless fluff, adverstizment, and shameless self-promotion that most businesses have come to rely on their blog for.

Instead, we are simply eager to share with you our inspirations.

Join us at http://lablovesyou.tumblr.com/ for an exclusive glimpse into the creatve minds at LAB.

No fluff, no advertisement, no shameless self promotion.

Lab loves you

Dave Arters latest Collection

2011-09-07T08:11:00.000-07:00

Lab super stylist Dave Arter recently shot this collection to compete in the contessa awards. We think they are fabulous don't you?

Maia & Jade sittin in a tree.....

2011-08-21T09:54:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to have celebrated the wedding of Maia & Jade on friday. It was a beautiful day for all and we wish them all of the happiness in the world!

Ciseaux.... but you can call her Katie

2011-08-09T22:35:00.001-07:00

Lab stylist Katie Schaan is in the news again. She's about to launch her music career in a new direction.

read all about it here

lab loves this

2011-08-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

Sarah's place is a must see

2011-07-26T23:10:00.000-07:00

Our favourite queen of the vegans has finally opened a shop on Pandora st in the Market square. Go and show her much love and adoration.

You'll be glad you did

Monday Morning Rump Shaker

2011-07-25T09:08:00.001-07:00

Times Colonist Talks About VB&B

2011-07-18T18:51:00.000-07:00

Aside from the gratuitous moustache picture of Matty this is a very nice article about Victory Barber & Brand.

click here to read it

Ashley gets published in Sessions magazine

2011-07-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

Editorial superstar Ashley Dusseault, recently had her beautiful work published in Sessions magazine. Collaborating with local photography legends RED LEAF STUDIOS, has produced some incredible work that we are very proud to share with you on the LAB blog.

Onward to Victory

2011-07-14T22:34:00.000-07:00

Now open at 1315 blanshard

tues - saturday 10-8

cuts $25-$45

shaves $40

DIRTY WALLS

2011-07-11T20:13:00.001-07:00

Kevin Murphy Artist Jessica Ruth spends a super sunday at Lab

2011-06-26T15:58:00.000-07:00

Lab stylists love education. Especially when it comes fro Kevin Murphy creative team member Jessica Ruth. On this sunny sunday Jess shared with us some of the latest and greatest texture techniques for summer and fall.

Wanna see what we learned first hand?

Book here

Thank you Victoria!

2011-06-21T21:52:00.001-07:00

We would like to sincerely thank all of the wonderful people who voted for us.

We love you all!

Clean Cuts for Dirty Wall Project success!

2011-06-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

After a super fun and full day of haircuts and music we raised over $2500 dollars for families in the slums of Mumbai thanks to Kane from the Dirty Wall Project. If you wish to support his work you can make a donation at the salon or purchase one of his photo's currently on display at Habit.

Oh man, we are getting so close!

2011-06-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

Bon Iver produces another masterpiece

2011-06-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

Seriously you should just run out and buy this album RIGHT NOW

Lab Loves Sasquatch!

2011-06-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

What an unbelievable weekend at The Sasquatch Music Festival! The lab staff and friends had another mind blowing time down at the gorge this year. Sorry to everyone who wasn't able to be there.

Check out more pictures here

Clean Cuts for dirty Walls!

2011-05-25T13:05:00.000-07:00

On June 18th Lab will be hosting it's 3rd annual summer Cut-a-thon to raise money for those less fortunate.

Haircuts: by donation ( a $20 minimum )

Time: 11 am - 5 pm

Benefits: The Dirty Wall Project click here to learn more

Come early to avoid the line-ups !

Happy Birthday Bob

2011-05-24T12:58:00.001-07:00

54-40 shoot

2011-05-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

Lab super stylist Katie Schaan applied her double threat editorial skills ( hair & Make-up) while shooting the cover for the new 54-40 album with Lab lover Kandle Osbourne.

we think you'll agree that they make a great team!

Photographs by Kandle Osbourne

Hair & Make up by Katie Schaan

Dave Opperman....Victory Man

2011-05-11T09:34:00.000-07:00

This music video stars Lab lover (and soon to be Victory man) Dave Opperman. He had his haircut right before this shoot by our fearless leader, Schwarkopf Professional Artist Matty Conrad.

" I love the return to classic barbering that we are seeing this season, and Dave's haircut is the perfect example a late 30's high & tight"

You can see Matty & his team in action at Victory Barber & Brand next month!

New Beastie Boys is just sooooop sick

2011-04-28T17:47:00.001-07:00

Lab welcomes Malin & Goetz!

2011-04-27T21:56:00.001-07:00

Malin & Goetz is the hottest new line out of New York and Lab is proud to bring it to your bathroom!

Check out more about our favorite new line HERE

Then buy it for your mom... cause mothers day is soon.

Alex Burrows.... Victory Man

2011-04-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

Well done sir... well done

Training for Victory

2011-04-19T23:00:00.001-07:00

Sunday was the start of the training for the staff of Victory Barbers. Under the instruction of master barber Mark Stuart they honed their clipper cutting skills to perfection. Keep tuned for the coming weeks when we cover scissor work and the art of the wet shave.

For those of us that missed Coachella

2011-04-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure this was the only thing we would have needed to see.

Victory is imminent

2011-04-17T08:37:00.000-07:00

click here to sign up for the VICTORY mailing list and to secure your invitation to the grand opening party.

ummm

2011-04-10T12:06:00.001-07:00

Buy this right now!

2011-04-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

Trust us on this one. Amazing

next time you are in Gastown...

2011-04-03T23:10:00.000-07:00

This is one of our favorite shops in Vancouver. Pop in and say Hi to Walter the shopkeep, then take almost any item home to seriously escalate your hipster appeal.

Inspired by artist Kelsey Brookes

2011-04-02T08:32:00.001-07:00

Foursquare....you know you want to

2011-04-01T12:05:00.000-07:00

The natural evolution of twitter is fast becoming the new way to find your friends and copy everything they do.

Lab has a few offers on it that might interest you ;)

click here to learn more about it

Lab learns this season's Essential Looks

2011-03-27T17:32:00.000-07:00

All day on Sunday the friendly folks at LAB were hard at work learning this seasons hottest haircutting trends from Schwarzkopf Professional Artist ( and LAB owner) Matty Conrad. When he isn't busy behind his chair he is traveling around the globe teaching and inspiring young stylists with creative contemporary work from the Essential Looks Collections. Matty loves to share his knowledge and skills with everyone but he is especially proud of his staff at LAB. "They are amazingly talented people and they inspire me with their work every day".

Book in at LAB and ask your stylist about this season's trends.

Ashley's latest editorial offering

2011-03-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that Ashley Dusseault is establishing herself as an editorial pro. Shoots like this one with our friends at Red Leaf Studio's are proof positive

Katie's latest editorial shoot

2011-03-26T07:11:00.000-07:00

Lab stylists have become a favorite of local editorial fashion experts Red Leaf Studio's. We think you'll agree the pairing fits like a glove.

For this session, Lab stylist Katie Schaan not only styled up our friend Gina but also did the make up for a very beautiful session. Click on the images for a closer look.

Not fashion just fun

2011-03-25T07:44:00.001-07:00

(notes on) biology from ornana films on Vimeo.

Elizabeth Taylor 1932-2011

2011-03-24T17:17:00.001-07:00

Kevin Murphy does punk

2011-03-23T22:12:00.000-07:00

PUNK IS THE NEW BLACK  
 
Hi everyone,

Here is the latest shoot I did for Vogue in 
which you can see that Punk is everywhere 
this season. Now it’s a glamorous punk, or 
you could say a punk on a trust fund. 
When researching for the shoot I tried to 
find images of girls from that period and I 
was drawn to Debbie Harry from BLONDIE
and I had to ask myself “what would 
Debbie Do???” 



In the late seventies, there were not a lot of
products available and punk was about 
rebellion. I had just made a new product called 
BODY.BUILDER which is a mousse. Robert 
Lobetta and I had talked and he stated what 
was old is new again, so I decided to lay 
mousse into the hair and blow it out with little 
skill so I could achieve a fluffy texture to the ends. 
I tried not to try too hard and focused on getting 
volume at the roots only. 



Using a ROLL.BRUSH I lifted up the roots at the 
sides to create the flicked over look. The BODY.
BUILDER gave me lots of control over the hair 
but kept the finish soft enough for me to mould 
the shape. I then BACK COMBED the roots of 
the hair (to achieve the shape) and then followed 
through and BACK BRUSHED the ends and the 
mid-lengths to achieve the texture. 



Of course SESSION.SPRAY played a big part in 
the style and I went mad with the spray. Why? 
Because that is what Debbie would have done!  
I kept on using my SMOOTHING.BRUSH during 
the day to release texture on the ends so they 
looked soft - this kept the fullness in the ends 
of the hair. I had to hide some of the hair to give
 it a layered look so a lot of the hair was hidden 
from view with clips. This gave the front of the 
head more volume. 



Its was so good to be able to do something 
strong and soft at the same time, and using 
old methods to create something modern. 
Who knew that my new best friends would be 
a can of mousse, a ROLL.BRUSH and tons of 
spray. Since discovering BODY.BUILDER, its 
all I reach for. BODY.BUILDER’s weightless 
qualities allow me to create so much more
 than I had ever expected so I hope you like it. 

Bye for now and regards,

Kevin xx

Ashley & Caroline's editorial stardom rises

2011-03-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

Lab favorites Ashley & Caroline are exercising their creative sides today while prepping models for a vintage shoot by local photography legends Red Leaf Studio.

Just another early saturday morning at LAB.

This is just soooo inspiring

2011-03-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

Meet James...

2011-03-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

This is James. He is our newest import direct from Scotland. When he isn't booked up with happy new clients we make him read Winnie the Pooh books to us just so we can listen to his accent.

Come on by and meet him in person.

Ditch Records 3.0

2011-03-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already heard Ditch records newest location at Blanshard and Fort st has opened it's doors and is better than ever. You must buy records....many many records

New bands to love....Foster The People

2011-03-11T08:56:00.001-08:00

This band is one of the #1 reasons we are still excited about Saquatch

Matty takes essential looks to Grande Prairie

2011-03-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

Lab director Matty Conrad is travelling to Grande Prairie this weekend to teach this seasons Essential Looks class for Schwarzkopf Professional. Matty is fortunate enough to travel all over the country to inspire hairdressers with the latest trends.

Travelling away from Victoria (currently +10 degrees) to northern Alberta (currently -20 degrees) is not exactly his idea of a good time, but he loves what he does and he is excited to share his experiences with you.

Mike Edel loves Lab

2011-03-05T12:21:00.000-08:00

Lab lover and local favorite Mike Edel is celebrating the release of his sophmore album "The Last Of Our Mountains" with a haircut! He's also playing tonight at Luckybar.

On a personal note... Mike is one of Victoria's best kept secrets and you would be doing yourself an enormous favor by showing up to Lucky bar before 9pm to catch his infectious melodies and his warm introspective songwriting style.

oh and the Album.... get the album

Urbanite

2011-03-04T23:10:00.000-08:00

Lab was excited to participate in last nights Urbanite at the Victoria Art Gallery. Our handmade wool wigs were put on display for all to see.

Lab loves apple

2011-03-04T07:58:00.000-08:00

Wanna work at LAB?

2011-03-01T23:51:00.000-08:00

Lab is currently hiring a F/T shop assistant.

No experience necessary

Apply in person to:

Lab Salon

541 Johnson st

Snow day fun

2011-02-23T11:36:00.000-08:00

When you are trapped in the house because of that ceaseless white onslaught, warm yourself with this new video from Radiohead.

Then go here to get the new album "King of Limbs"

Music you should love .... Fitz & the Tantrums

2011-02-21T07:23:00.001-08:00

Creating the new essential looks

2011-02-08T21:22:00.001-08:00

Well..... at least we know

2011-02-07T08:24:00.000-08:00

More editorial shots from Ashleys shoot

2011-02-02T23:57:00.000-08:00

uh oh...

2011-02-02T10:31:00.001-08:00

See this...seriously

2011-01-28T02:27:00.000-08:00

Ashley Dusseault establishes her editorial prowless

2011-01-25T22:24:00.000-08:00

These two beautiful shots are from a shoot that Lab's editorial stylist Ashley Dusseault worked on today for Redleaf studios.

Kim comes to Lab

2011-01-24T08:32:00.000-08:00

We are super pumped to present our friend Kim to you lucky people. Many of you already know her from other high caliber salons around town. She is a dynamo at cutting hair and super fun to be around so book an appointment and she'll tell you all about why Lab is her favorite salon on earth.

Rejoice hipsters......... Caroline is back!

2011-01-19T18:03:00.000-08:00

We all know that all of you hipsters have been holding your breath waiting for the return of our girl Caroline. Well breathe in deep cause she's back and ready to chop your mis-managed locks.

Appointments are being snatched up faster than a pair of jeggings ( jeans printed on leggings) so book in ASAP.

Click here to book online

Coachella 2011 looks sick!

2011-01-19T07:58:00.000-08:00

Behind the scenes at "Some Like It Hot"

2011-01-14T23:29:00.000-08:00

Check this out!

2011-01-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

Your favorite friendly trendsters are starting the year off right by collaborating with some of this city's best up and coming boutiquesto bring you 2011's first fashion even.

Get your booty down to Upstairs night club on Thursday night at 9:00 so you can dance to the rhythms of Dj Blondtron, check out some super styles, and start picking outfits for spring.

Bands you should love....Tallest Man On Earth

2011-01-10T00:04:00.000-08:00

Inspirations to start the year

2011-01-02T09:09:00.001-08:00

NYE 2010

2010-12-31T08:29:00.000-08:00

OMG OMG OMG

Lab is celebrating the coming year with style. Exciting things are on the horizon for your favorite team of friendly trendsters. Including our soon to be announced expansion to the Atrium building.

How are you spending your New Years?

Katie Schaan... knitting her way to fame

2010-12-30T06:41:00.000-08:00

One of your favorite friendly trendsters and singer songwriter Katie Schaan took off across BC on her first ever music tour this fall. She called it the "Knitted Goods Tour" because she actually knitted all her own merch. What can't she do?

Fashion Fights Back

2010-12-27T12:33:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't been paying attention, the world of fashion photography has been invaded by a million GWC's (guys with camera's). The exciting world of digital desktop publishing has enabled an entire generation of self proclaimed "artists" to turn pro. You are hard pressed to go to a party these days without running into at least a half a dozen of these hobby photogs armed to the teeth with business cards, a website, and absolutely no other credentials to speak of.

So what is Fashion to do?

Video of course.

The shiny new toy of the fashion world is fashion films. They are super savy and require more talent, patience, and expensive gear than most hackers are willing to front. Many of the up and coming designers as well as larger fashion houses have been turning to this re-emerging genre to promote their fabulous wears.

It should come as no surprise that Lower Johnson's very own LeBlanc Boutique has followed suit. Known for her innovation in both her storefront and her clothing shop owner Marcie Leblanc is showing the rest of us how it is done.

Enjoy

Leblanc | Winter 2010 from Space Camp on Vimeo.

Merry Christmas from Lab

2010-12-24T08:09:00.000-08:00

Your favourite friendly trendsters at LAB would like to wish you and yours a peaceful and joyous holiday time.

Merry Christmas

Thank you Victoria!

2010-12-20T16:14:00.001-08:00

Thanks to the hard work of the Lab staff and the monumental generosity of you, our community, we were able to collect over 900 coats for homeless. The founder of OurPlace Rev Allen was bursting with gratitude for all of your generous donations (he's a hugger evidently). The coats have been delivered and are being distributed as we speak.

We just would like to say :

Thank You

Merry Christmas

Cuts for Coats

2010-12-18T13:11:00.001-08:00

Does your coat closet look like this?

We can help you...

Just gather up all of the un-used or un-loved coats in your closet and bring them to Lab on Sunday Dec 19th between 12pm & 6pm (this will make us smile).

We will trade you for a swell new haircut on the spot (which will make you smile).

Then we will give those coats to some needy folks who will really love them (which will make them smile).

Before you know it a whole lotta smiles will be happening at Lab

We're making spirits bright

Being normal never helped anyone

2010-12-15T08:16:00.000-08:00

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

PA RUM PA PUM PUM

2010-12-14T07:27:00.000-08:00

Our good friend and local music phenom Vince Vacarro has recorded a beautiful version of this holiday classic.

enjoy.

Had ourselves a merry little christmas party!

2010-12-13T07:41:00.001-08:00

Once again your favorite team friendly trendsters gathered to celebrate the holidays in style!

Here are just a few favorites from the evening. If you want to see more of our shennanigans, click here to join the Lab Salons group on Facebook.

Happy Holidays

Lab Christmas Party #2

2010-12-11T11:46:00.000-08:00

Just a heads up to the sleepy little town of Victoria...

Tonight is the LAB Christmas party !!!

You have been warned

14 Actors Acting

2010-12-08T19:22:00.001-08:00

A collection of short films produced by the New York Times.

This is just incredible.

Click here to view

2nd Annual Cuts For Coats

2010-12-03T08:27:00.000-08:00

Lab salons is proud to host the 2nd annual Cuts for Coats on December 19th.

Here's the skinny:

Basically if you have a warm coat at home that you aren't wearing anymore we think you should pass it on to someone less fortunate.

Still not convinced?

Fine, pass it to us and we'll give it to someone less fortunate.

No?

Alright, we'll trade you a haircut for it.... sound fair?

Great. Show up early on dec 19th (the line up last year was quite impressive) and we'll give you a shiny new haircut just in time for the holidays.

Got more than one coat? Got a coat but don't need a haircut? Trade it in for entries to win fabulous haircare packages from your favorite friendly trendsters.

Last years coat crop yielded over 600 warm coats (enough to fill an Econo-line van) that were donated to Our Place and distributed to some very appreciative , down on their luck, locals.

So come on down to LAB and help us show the homeless some warmth and love.

So long to a month of moustache..

2010-11-30T08:21:00.000-08:00

After hundreds of dollars raised and thousands of point and laugh moments, we bid a fond farewell to Movember. This year LAB's small but vital Movember team grew 2 and a half moustaches ( sorry Dave ) to raise money and awareness for prostate cancer.

Thanks to all of you that supported our Mo Gro.

Now where is my razor ?

The Lab Gift Box

2010-11-29T09:03:00.000-08:00

Just imagine how grateful someone will be when they find this little baby under the tree. Chock full of a hundred bucks worth of beautifying love from your favourite friendly trendsters, the LAB gift box is a fabulous way to tell that special someone "Merry Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, etc....."

AND

As a special holiday bonus we are gonna kick in a $20 gift card to Still Life Boutique that you can spend as you like... maybe on other lovely gifts? Maybe just on yourself? Maybe on lovely gifts...for yourself? We won't judge...

Supplies are limited so hurry in and share the Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa spirit.

Le Blanc Boutique innovates and relocates

2010-11-25T21:39:00.000-08:00

If you haven't been lucky enough to visit the newly relocated LeBlanc Boutique you are seriously behind the times and missing out on something unique and special.

The boutique is split into 2 parts. First is the incredibly innovative storefront that has been built into the lobby of the old hotel that now makes up most of Market Square on Lower Johnson. The second part is a 700sqft boutique in the square itself ( which brings some much needed style to the inside of the square).

Owner Marcie LeBlanc is as cool as they come with impeccable taste to boot. This place is Victoria's newest must shop.

While supplies last

2010-11-25T21:25:00.000-08:00

Give us your food!

2010-11-23T18:16:00.000-08:00

Sam's snow day

2010-11-22T19:36:00.000-08:00

Untitled from lab salon on Vimeo.

Snow = Christmas...... it's science.

2010-11-21T10:55:00.000-08:00

Need to Man up your Mo?

2010-11-18T18:45:00.001-08:00

Some of you are afraid to grow a mo because you have extremely light colored hair that even when full and thick seems almost invisible. Take Dave from LAB for instance...

To enhance the manliness of his MO we applied some permanent haircolor to his upper lip...

We think you'll agree the results are impressive.

Click here to donate to Movember

Mo Sista's

2010-11-18T10:04:00.001-08:00

Take away show MONARCH

2010-11-17T00:24:00.001-08:00

One more reason Apple is cooler than Blackberry

2010-11-13T06:46:00.000-08:00

Time for a little more inspiration

2010-11-12T06:55:00.000-08:00

Lest we forget

2010-11-11T07:55:00.001-08:00

Today lab would like to say thank you to all of the brave service men and women who fought and died to defend our freedom.

Movember day 10

2010-11-10T07:59:00.000-08:00

We thought we would share our progress with you loyal blog readers. Here they are in all their 10 day old glory. If you squint really hard you can almost see a faint shadow starting to appear on Dave's upper lip. Matty is clearly on his way to a pushbroom and Aahmes can grow a full beard by shear will power.

Click here to donate to Movember

Live long and prostate

Katie goes on tour!

2010-11-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Our little musical phenom Katie Schaan will be wrapping up her canadian tour at the Fort Cafe on Nov 22.

Don't miss it

Makeover pilot films at Lab

2010-11-08T00:58:00.000-08:00

Katie's album drops!

2010-11-07T07:58:00.000-08:00

Our very own little songbird Katie Schaan has finally released her debut album! It's titled "Close to Me" and it has already been met with critical acclaim. We are very proud of Katie and we wish her the best of luck on her upcoming tour! If you would like a copy they are available at the salon for just $10.

Click here to check out Katie's latest review from Island Soapbox

Influencers

2010-11-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

Music You should love...... Tallest Man on Earth

2010-11-06T07:27:00.000-07:00

Movember explained

2010-11-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

Lab's Movember MOscot

2010-11-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

Matty talks to CBC radio

2010-11-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

Lab salon director Matty Conrad was invited this morning to talk to CBC radio about Movember, the state of men's grooming. and the much anticipated Lab for Lads.

Lab Loves a good Mo

2010-11-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Click here to support Movember

It's MO time!

2010-11-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

Once again it is time to dawn the furry upper lip for cancer.

Lab stylists Matty Conrad & Dave Arter are growing their stache for cash.

This should be pretty entertaining because Matty looks like Thomas Magnum after a few weeks and Dave... doesn't.

seriously... he doesn't even look like Higgins.

Wanna support them ?

Click here