Posts by Penny
Foot Reflexology – Is It A Foot Massage?
What is foot reflexology? Most people assume that foot reflexology is just another name for a foot massage. Other people think it’s a type of pedicure. After talking with our massage therapists, I realized it might be helpful to shed some light on what exactly this service is. In this blog, I will explain what foot reflexology is and how it differs from a foot massage. I will also explain what to expect during your foot reflexology service at Oliver's Salon & Spa.
What is "reflexology"?
Reflexology is the therapeutic act of using pressure points on the body to trigger pain relief. However, most reflexology services are done on the feet due to the abundance of pressure points that connect to the rest of your body. Reflexology stimulates circulation, reduces stress and pain and restores balance. Some people say it's helpful for women who are experiencing menstrual cramps, however, reflexology is suited for anyone.
Foot Reflexology at Oliver's Salon & Spa
I asked one of our massage therapists what her definition of foot reflexology would be and she said:
Reflexology is the relief of pain by stimulating pressure points by using specific thumb, finger and hand techniques. She also included that reflexology works with your central nervous system to help communicate to the body where to releave tension.
Therefore, foot reflexology is pressing on certain pressure points on your feet that correlate with different parts of your body to relieve pain and tension.
What can I expect?
Reflexology is done in one of our calming massage rooms. In these massage rooms, spa music plays and the lighting is moody, which creates a relaxing environment. It is not required for you to change into a robe, however, you are welcome to if it would make your experience more relaxing. At Oliver's, we have lockers available to store all of your belongings during your visit with us!
Is there any massage involved?
Typically, no massage is involved in foot reflexology. This therapeutic service is directed towards pain and the correlating pressure points. Although we offer foot spa related services, we are not entirely a foot spa. If you’re looking for a foot massage, check out one of our luxurious pedicures! Lately, our clients have been telling us how great our pedicures are!
However...
Our massage therapists understand that each person is not cut and dry. Our services are customizable as long as they are within reasonable request. For example, if you're having issues with your digestive system, they may focus on the pressure point on your foot that correlates with your digestive system a little more intensely. It's best to communicate with our massage therapists before your appointment if there are any areas currently troubling you.
If you're looking for overall healthy feet, make a day of it and book a pedicure in addition to a foot reflexology service!
We recommend this service for clients who are looking for a more holistic healing experience. If you’re interested in one of our other holistic healing services, check out our Reiki Therapy, Rain-Drop Therapy and Chakra Balancing Massage. If you're interested in booking one of our foot reflexology services, give us a call at (610)-366-8808 or book online!
What are you waiting for? Put your best foot forward with us!
New at Oliver’s – Bamboo Fusion Massage
Picture this - you're deciding to indulge in a little self care and you schedule a massage. You get massages regularly because you know they help relieve stress, muscle tension and so much more. You love massages, but you want something new...
A bamboo massage.
Bamboo? Like the sticks?
Bamboo like the sticks, but SO much more. Did you know there are 1500 species of bamboo? All responsible for feeding and housing, the creation of musical instruments, cooking utensils, furniture, hunting weapons, storage baskets, lamps, lampshades, roof tiles, hats and hundreds of other practical uses.
Why bamboo?
Bamboo is more than just a practical tool. It is a spiritual tool that is symbolized as energy, sexuality, fertility, prosperity and longevity.
When incorporated into a massage, bamboo does several things for the body and mind. A bamboo-fusion massage brings an extreme sensation of relaxation and well-being, relieves tightness and tension in the muscles and tendons, makes skin more supple, stimulates the flow of blood and lymph, regenerates, revitalizes and relaxes the body and mind. I would know, I tried it!
What exactly is a bamboo massage like?
I was able to receive a bamboo-fusion massage at the salon and day spa by our wonderful and intuitive massage therapist, Janet. Janet is a master at perfecting her craft and tailoring each experience to the individual. She explained what was going to happen and reassured me to let her know if there is any discomfort during the massage.
It started as a normal massage, but it was a much different sensation. It was bamboo! The bamboo sticks were gently dragged across my skin. They were warm, so it felt very calming. Janet used the bamboo sticks in a rolling method (picture someone using a rolling pin on your muscles) to massage. This was done as a full body method. Personally, I like the use of the bamboo stick as it allows the massage therapist to apply much more pressure. This would be perfect for someone looking for a deep tissue massage!
I really enjoyed the way it felt, as it was evenly working out my tension and stress due to the pressure put on the bamboo stick. Specifically, there was one part of the service that where Janet had used the end of the bamboo stick to work out some tension in my neck area. It was indescribable definitely something you have to experience if you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders like I do. I felt as though the bamboo curved to my skin perfectly. Afterwards, I felt rested and very zen.
After the massage, I was instructed to drink plenty of water, which is normal! My muscles felt lose for the next few days, which was amazing!
Bamboo-ya!
10/10, I would recommend this service to everyone! The bamboo was an interesting twist. I could see this service being a regular for me. Now knowing what I know about bamboo, it makes bamboo-fusion massages ten times more interesting to me. How cool is it that we are using bamboo in a practical and spiritual way like it is done in different parts of the world? Nature's bounty at it's finest!
Breaking Up With Breakouts & Getting Good Skin
Let's Talk Breakouts!
Acne comes in all shapes, sizes and forms. What do all of these different types of breakouts have in common? No one wants them. Sadly, our skin doesn’t understand that. Whether it’s stress, hormones, eating habits or a health condition, your skin reacts. Our skin is our largest organ, so of course it can reflect the different things happening within our body.
WHITEHEADS & BLACKHEADS
The most common, and most picked at, types of acne are blackheads and whiteheads. They are the least severe types of acne, but the most annoying in my book.
PAPULES
Papules usually stem from irritated whiteheads and blackheads. They are annoying under the skin bumps that cause inflammation and unwanted redness on your skin. They also have no visible center.
PUSTULES
Pustules are the pimples that we picture in our minds when we say the word “pimple”. They have the classic white or yellow center with the pinkish skin surrounding it. Think of them as whiteheads, but angrier.
Then there are the acne types that require more than a change in your daily skincare routine. These are the types that may need a little extra help from a dermatologist.
NODULES
Nodules are a more severe type of acne. They look like skin lumps and have no redness, white/yellow center. This type of acne occurs deeper in the skin and can cause dark spots and scarring. They are also painful. Acne is bad enough, but when it actually hurts? Goodbye.
CYSTS
Calling all Dr. Pimple Popper fans! Cysts are obviously MUCH more serious than the types of acne listed above. They are larger, more painful, filled with pus and buried deep in the skin. These can also cause scarring and should be removed with the help of a professional.
Products
Usually, a change in your skincare routine and/or diet can banish your blemishes pretty easily. It just requires you to be more aware of what goes on your skin. I highly recommend scheduling a facial if you’re unsure what products best suit your skin. Before I have ever had a facial, I tried trending products instead of products that might actually help my skin. Don’t be fooled by clever marketing!
Here at Oliver’s, our aestheticians are trained to assess your overall complexion and issues you may have with your skin. Also, on top of the service and recommendations, the aesthetician will talk to you about products that will benefit you specifically.
Hair & Skin Care
Just because we don’t think hair when we think skincare, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t play a major role in it. My hair is constantly on my face. I sometimes close my eyes and attack my mane with hairspray. You’re guilty of it, too. Being careful with where we spray our hairsprays, heat protectants and other products can go a long way for our faces.
Break Up With Bad Make Up
Makeup does more damage to your skin than you think. It’s natural to want to cover up your acne with foundation and concealer, but keep in mind, those products have a shelf life. Look for the symbol of the open jar on the back of your makeup products, Usually, it will say 6M, 12M or 24M inside of that jar so indicate 6 months, 12 months or 24 months. If you have had your makeup for longer, throw it out. It can cause bacteria and clogged pores on your face!
Diet
Your body is a machine. Every part of it has a specific job. What you put on the inside will reflect the outside. If you eat tons of fried, oily foods, your skin will reflect that. Cleaning up your diet can clean up your blemishes. For example, spicy foods activate the oil producing glands in your face. If you attend wing night every Wednesday, don’t be surprised to see some extra oil on your skin.
Dehydration can cause skin issues as well. If you’re 60% coffee and 40% water like me, your skin can look dull and dried out. There’s something water does to our skin that we haven’t quite figured out how to replicate with purchasable products.
Lifestyle
If changing products and your diet isn’t working, maybe look into some lifestyle changes. If you’re into working out, make sure you’re washing your face after. All of that sweat can sit on your skin and soak into your pores! This creates those little skin bumps known as milia.
Picking & Squeezing
We’ve all watched Dr. Pimple Popper. It’s so satisfying to squeeze and pop your impurities out of your pores. Of course it isn’t good for your face, but let’s face it, we’re not stopping any time soon. There is a time and a way to pick your face. Wait until after you take a warm shower and your pores are open. Also make sure instead of using your fingertips, you use tissues. Cover your fingertips with the tissues and pop away! Using just your bare hands can transfer germs and bacteria from your fingers to your face, in turn, causing more breakouts. Picking your face when your pores are tight can cause scarring as well!
"Ya Nasty"
Smoking is another factor in your skin. It’s a nasty habit to begin with. Not only does it harm your lungs, it also makes your skin look lifeless and dull. It’s so easy, just don’t do it.
Touching your face can be another factor. If you’re constantly resting your face in your hands, itching your skin, or putting your hands anywhere near your face, that extra bacteria, grease and whatever else may be lurking on your hands can transfer to your face.
When All Is Said & Done...
I hope that this paragraph was helpful in identifying different types of breakouts. Too many of us are too embarrassed to talk about our breakouts, so we hope that you feel comfortable enough to come talk to our skin care specialists about yours! If you have any questions about any of our skin care services or products, shoot us a message or give us a call at 610-366-8808.
HydraFacial – The Trending Skincare Service
HydraFacial
We live in a world where treating yourself is an absolute must. Whether you’re looking to appear younger or have instagram perfect skin, there’s a skin care treatment out there for everyone. Skincare has become a necessity in the last couple of years. From new brands and treatments emerging, social media does a great job at keeping us all in the loop. Trends may come and go, but good skin will always be remembered. That’s why more and more people are taking their skin more seriously!
Oliver’s decided to keep up with the current trend and bought ourselves a Christmas gift this past season. We will now be offering *drum roll please* HydraFacial in our salon & spa. This is HUGE, as services like this are mainly seen in popular areas such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York. We thought it would be the perfect service to add to our spa.
What is it?
In a nutshell, HydraFacial uses patented vortex-fusion technology to exfoliate, extract and hydrate the skin with a spiral designed tip to help with painless extractions. What is vortex-fusion technology you say? Well, it’s a fancy way to explain why HydraFacial is what it is. It’s a combination of specific HydraPeel tips, a vacuum and serums that fit different skin care needs.
What does it do?
This is the medical grade trending skincare service that pulls impurities from the skin into a tube that you can actually SEE. Your skin is exfoliated, your pores are vacuumed out and infused/hydrated at the same time with a serum that best fits your skin care needs. HydraFacial best benefits people who have fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots, enlarged pores, oily & congested skin, uneven skin tone and uneven skin texture. Plus, it’s really cool to see all of the junk that comes out of your face!
Depending on what you want to achieve, results are almost instant! You’ll notice a more radiant and glowy appearance to your skin right after. If you have a skin care concern that requires a couple of sessions, you may not notice changes right away, but fear not - good things take time.
How does it benefit me?
HydraFacial is good for all ages, all genders and all skin types. This service is perfect for a first timer and a skin guru. The best part - it is customizable!
Serums
There are several serums that HydraFacial offers such as: brightening, calming, hydration, firming & restoring, soothing & refining. There are also special serums for eye and lip treatments. Whatever your needs or expectations are, HydraFacial has you covered.
Have I mentioned the LED light therapy?
With the use of blue and red LED lights, HydraFacial tackles your acne before it happens and after it has already made an appearance. The blue light disrupts acne causing bacteria and improves oily & congested skin. The red light helps with inflammation of the skin from acne or just in general.
What can I expect?
3 steps, 30 minutes. It’s as simple as that.
Exfoliate
HydraFacial exfoliates through the act of microdermabrasion. Each HydraFacial tip is designed to be an abrasive that removes the uneven, first layer of skin.
Hydrate
As the skin is being exfoliated and extractions are taking place, a serum is infused into your pores. There are a number of serums to choose from, each having hydrating properties.
Extract
With the vacuum technology, extractions are painless. There’s no squeezing or picking of your blackheads and pimples.
Downtime?
Downtime typically doesn’t exist with HydraFacial. You’re free to walk out and enjoy your skin the moment you’re done! However, some more intense treatments may leave your skin needing a little rest. It all depends!
You want proof? You got it.
Here are some before & after photos to better illustrate what HydraFacial can do.
Watch out for fake HydraFacials…
Some spas will offer a hydrafacial as a service on their menu, but if you dig a little deeper and read the fine print, you quickly realize that their hydrafacials are merely just a hydrating facial. The difference is all in the name and description. HydraFacial (the actual company) uses patented technology and products that not every spa has access to. But due to the popularity of the brand, there is a reason why spas advertise with the same name and spelling. The general public might not even think twice about it. Shame on their faulty advertising!
FYI
For those of you who are deeply embedded with skin care services, HydraFacial can be used along with any other skin care treatment. Actually, HydraFacial can increase the speed of other peeling facials. Also, for those of you with filler and botox, HydraFacial doesn’t harm it.
If you’re looking for more information on HydraFacial, check out their website. Here’s to a bright future and clearer skin!
If you're looking to book a HydraFacial, give us a call at (610)-366-8808 or book online.
Benefits of an Oliver’s Manicure
We use our hands more than any other part of our body, but are we giving them the appreciation they deserve? Manicures are not just for cosmetic reasons. Everyone can benefit from a healthy manicure. Those benefits include destressing, improving the health of your nails, keeping your skin soft and confidence benefits. Read more to find out how an Oliver’s manicure could benefit you!
Money Saving Mani
Life can be stressful. We all deserve a spa day! At Oliver’s, we have fair pricing, so a day of relaxation won’t break your bank. A manicure can help clean up your hands and nails while giving you some time for relaxation. I don’t know about you, but there is nothing better than a hand rub! Plus, chatting with our nail techs is always a great stress reliever.
Healthy Nails, Please!
Our hands are used every day. If you work, you’re technically being paid to use your hands, so it should be a requirement to take care of them. Your hands are probably lacking the attention they deserve. Dry cuticles can crack and bleed, causing more harm to the health of your hands. A manicure will take care of those issues and keep your hands looking and feeling amazing!
Hydrate so you don't Die-drate
Besides the stress relief, our skin is probably in need of some extra hydration. If you’re washing your hands constantly, your skin can dry out. Cold weather can also cause dry skin. A manicure can help shed that dry skin and moisturize your hands giving you baby soft skin in the middle of winter!
Nailed It!
I don’t know about you, but I feel like I have my life together when I get a manicure. If not, my nails are uneven, my cuticles are overgrown and I feel gross. Keeping your hands nice and neat somehow makes your life feel a little more organized. Every time you look at them, you’re suddenly not afraid to show your hands in public. In fact, you might be tempted to show them off a little more. There is an unspoken confidence of having your nails done. If you have ever had a manicure, you know exactly what I mean.
How We Do Things
The Oliver’s Spa Manicure includes nail shaping, cuticle service, a relaxing scrub with warm hand mitts, a massage and a polish (if you chose). If you’re someone who keeps it simple, you could do a clear coat or nothing at all! Otherwise, we have a selection of colors both gel and normal!
New Color Alert!
With each new season, OPI (a popular nail polish brand) releases a new collection. This fall, they released a Scotland themed collection with the clever names to match that we have at the salon. More recently, we have the Hello Kitty collection with an assortment of fun, poppy colors!
Check out more of our work below
Convinced?
Give us a call at (610)-366-8808 or book your appointment here.
5 Products We Can’t Live Without
5 Products
We all have those staples in our beauty routine. You know, the essentials. These are products that you buy in bulk, carry a travel size of and recommend to everyone in passing. In this blog, I will share with you the 5 products that our salon & spa can’t live without.
We carry only the best products at our salon. When ordering and purchasing products for retail, we keep what’s best for our clients in mind as well as their wants and needs. We use and buy products that we would feel comfortable using ourselves and our loved ones. We decided to give our followers and blog readers a look into our own personal cabinet of “must haves”. No incentive, no advertising, just simply saying what we like best and what works best for us.
Aveda Skin Refiner
This is a staple in the skin care world. According to many of the employees at Oliver’s Salon & Spa, this cleansing exfoliator does the job while keeping your skin moisturized. Sometimes, scrubs can over exfoliate and leave you with dry patches. This stuff scrubs impurities but leaves you with a soft, moisturized glow. I would say this product is perfect for the upcoming cold months!
Olaplex No. 7
The hair savior. This is a must have for ANYONE who has artificially colored their hair, especially blondes. This restores moisture to your hair after the damage had already been done. I dare you to find a stylist who thinks this one is a bad idea. Keep in mind, there is a treatment, shampoo, conditioner and more. We recommend a treatment to start, then if you love it, incorporate the whole line!
Moroccan Oil Dry Shampoo
If you’re a sensitive scalped person such as myself, you will find that most dry shampoos irritate you. This is the only brand I’ve had any success with. While keeping your scalp moisturized with a formula that has argan oil, this dry shampoo will leave your hair smelling like you just washed it (even though it might be 4 days since you actually have). If you fall in love with the scent, don’t worry; we have tons of Moroccan Oil products that you can add to your collection.
Tan Towels
Okay fake tan gurus, this ones for you. Forget the lotions and orange palms. No one has time for that anymore, it’s 2019. Tan Towels help achieve that summer tan in the middle of winter. It’s basically a wet nap for your skin. Easy application, long-lasting and you don’t smell or look like an Oompa Loompa. They are offered in the classic and plus options. Classic gives you a subtle glow and plus really bumps up the bronze. Even better, they are affordable!
Maria Nila Silver Shampoo
A must have for blondes. Kick your hair's brass with this purple shampoo. It is one of the purple shampoos that actually smell good, too. Maria Nila is a hair care brand that is vegan and cruelty free, so not only are you shampooing your hair, you’re doing it while being moralistic. Use it as much as needed or once in a while. The formula is perfect and doesn't dry out your hair like most purple shampoos do. Plus, you can always pair it with their conditioner!
These products are all stylist approved and used. All of these are also available for retail at our salon. We hope that a little look into Oliver’s cabinets has helped you possibly find your new staple products. If you have any other questions on any of these products, or want to see what else we have, feel free to give us a call at (610)-366-8808 or stop in any time!
Danger of Dip Powder & Acrylic Nails
Acrylic Nails are so yesterday. Dip Powder nails are unsanitary. Here at Oliver’s Salon & Spa, we use a different nail building system called "Polygel nails" that is less harmful for the health of your natural nails. We also stand by our sanitary guidelines no matter what is trending. Most people are uneducated on the alternative service we offer, but once you know, you will leave acrylic & dip powder nails where they belong- in the past. Trust us on this one, your nail beds will thank you.
Below are some examples of Polygel nails done by our technicians here at Oliver's Salon & Spa:
I felt the need to write a blog on Polygel nails after I had a discussion about a crappy acrylic nail job that was done on a friend of mine (not at Oliver's of course). She was showing me the imperfections and explaining how rough the nail technician and how she definitely didn't get her money's worth. I asked her if she had ever heard of Polygel nails and she had such a confused look on her face. Considering her to be pretty trendy, this surprised me. I realized that maybe a blog about Polygel nails would be helpful for those of you who get your nails done pretty often.
Polygel is technically a name under the brand "Gelish", but it is what most people refer to when talking about this type of nail enhancement. It's also the brand we carry here at Oliver's.
Acrylics? So yesterday.
Acrylic nails are long-lasting and look amazing. Unfortunately, they ruin your natural nail. The process of putting acrylic nails on is a rough one. Your nails are filed until they are rough which thins them out and leaves them brittle. Moreso, they are gluing a nail on top of that rough, damaged surface. Removal is pretty brutal as well. When removing acrylic nails, you have to soak them first, then file them off. That's a lot of trauma to the nail! Remember, your nails are a part of your body. Improper care can lead to serious issues down the line.
The Danger of Dip Powder
A lot of clients ask if we do dip powdered nails here at Oliver's. We always feel bad turning them down, however, it's for the most sanitary reason.
It's a very popular service that is considered the cousin to acrylic nails. Dip powder nails are just as strong as acrylic and Polygel nails, however, they are the most unsanitary. Most salons have one dip powder pot for all clients. Do you really want to double dip with strangers? You never know who dipped their nails in the pigment before you!
This is the reason why dip powder nails are not offered at Oliver's Salon & Spa. Taking sanitation seriously, we use an autoclave for cleaning our tools for each and every client.
How about that picture? EW.
What are Polygel nails?
Polygel nails are another form of artificial nail enhancements. They are enhancements that can be applied as an overlay or used to sculpt a whole nail with a shape of your choice. It's a soft gel that looks like a putty that is formed on top of the nail. This method is great for clients who have short nails and decide to take the plunge into long nails or if you just want to add just a touch of shape and length.
Why Polygel?
Different shapes of nails are trending right now. Instagram is the perfect place to browse all nail shapes for inspiration! Polygel nails are perfect for those of you who like stiletto, square, oval and coffin shapes. They are the best for any sort of fake nail enhancements due to how easily it can be modified and shaped.
The formula delivers a strong, flexible, light nail that is just as strong as an acrylic nail and less harsh on your natural nails. You're bound to have less breakage and brittleness between appointments, too. Removing Polygel isn't as difficult as the removal of acrylic nails. There is no soaking, only filing, and they come right off!
Did we nail it?
I hope this blog was helpful for those of you who have acrylic nails or dip powder nails. It's our responsibility to take care of our bodies, including our nails. Now that there are alternatives to dip powder and acrylic nails that are healthier, it's a no-brainer! Book your appointment online or give us a call at (610)-366-8808 if you have more questions.
Massage – Take Care of Your Body
Stress. We all have it and we all need to get rid of it. At Oliver’s Salon & Spa, we understand how important it is to relax and Treat Yourself Well. The best way to do that is with one of our many massage services. Oliver's Salon & Spa offers services ranging from full body massage to prenatal massage. Our massage therapists are experienced and trained to provide the best relaxation service for you.
Massage Therapy Benefits
Physically, we all get aches and pains. Mentally, we sometimes just need to relax. Massage therapy helps relieve stress and tension by relaxing the muscles while improving your circulation. Plus, it feels amazing!
Massage Services @ Oliver's
We offer a little bit of everything here at Oliver’s Salon & Spa. We have full body massages and upper body massages, which are some of our more popular services. Oliver's also offers prenatal massage and couple’s massage. Most of our services are customizable. For example, if you are looking to get a massage but want to focus on your shoulder area more, just let us know at the time of booking. If you're looking for a foot massage, check out one of our luxurious pedicures!
Give yourself a little more relaxation time. We also have extended massages available and hot stone massages.
Energy Work
Here at Oliver's Salon & Spa, we offer various energy work services such as Chakra Balancing, Rain Drop Therapy and Reiki Massage Therapy. Chakra Balancing involves deep tissue massage, chakra energy work and foot reflexology. Rain Drop Therapy is the clearing and cleansing powers of seven different essential oils. Reiki uses hands on energy to bring balance to an individual. Janet, one of our massage therapists, is a trained Reiki master and is passionate about helping others find peace and balance in their lives.
After Your Massage
After your massage, your massage therapist will explain what to do following your appointment, but here are a few tips to keep in mind:
It's important to hydrate and nourish your body after a massage. Drinking lots of water helps restore your muscles. Exercising after a few days of your massage can also be beneficial for keeping your muscles active. Make sure to schedule your next appointment as well!
Accommodations
Oliver’s does a great job at accomodating each client’s request. Our massage therapists can focus on certain areas if addressed at time of booking. We have many clients with aches and pains that come regularly to help relieve and manage their pain.
If you would have a pre-existing health condition, or an injury, we would definitely need a doctor's note before your service. Also, if you're under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must be present during the service.
When booking, it's important to provide any information a massage therapist should know before your appointment.
Oliver's Massage Therapists
Oliver's massage therapists have more than 10 years experience. They are kind, attentive and make sure to put your needs above all. If you have any difficulties during your appointment, our massage therapists are more than happy to work with you! You can learn more our wonderful massage therapists here.
Experience Matters
There’s a bit of a difference from a chain location and a spa such as Oliver's. Usually, massage therapists that are just begining their career start out in chain massage businesses, as it is the best way to build a client base. In no way are we discrediting those businesses or massage therapists that are starting out. We support those who are furthering their careers in massage therapy.
Being part spa, we want to ensure you have the best quality service we can provide. Making sure you’re aware of what to expect during your visit is important to us! Our massage therapists are more than experienced with over ten years in the business. With more experience comes more practice, so our therapists are prepared for any questions you may have!
Keep in mind...
All massages are performed with essential oils and massage oil. Each massage service time includes the changing time. For more descriptions and information on any of our massage services, check out our website or give us a call at 610-366-8808.
We also think that massages make a great gift for anyone for any occasion!
Balayage: The Hand Painted Hair Trend
Balayage - one of the biggest hair trends.
Are you looking for a more natural highlight? Balayage is the most subtle way to have perfectly highlighted hair without it looking like you’ve actually colored your hair. It’s very trendy, cost-effective and lasts a pretty long time! In this blog, I will explain what balayage is, the benefits, what to expect and some examples. Here at Oliver’s Salon & Spa, balayage services are done nearly every day along with other popular creative color services like ombre!
What is Balayage?
The term “balayage” is trending. Balayage is a technique, not an actual hair style. Essentially, it is the painting of hair. In French, the word “balayage” means to sweep or paint. Let’s be honest, anything said in French is so chic.
Balayage can be deceiving, as it is just painting the base of the hair. Most stylists end up incorporating a technique called “foilayage”. Foilayage covers not only the base of the hair, but all throughout the hair and accented pieces, based on where they fall around a client’s face. Both foilayage and balayage are used for most clients who want a balayage and ombre hair color.
It's all in the technique.
Most think balayage is done freehand. It is, but there are actually several techniques to make it look so effortless and natural. For example, if someone has smooth, straight hair, stylists will use a V or W technique, creating a flow throughout the hair where the color gradually changes. The hand painted gradation creates a soft transition from base color to highlight, making your hair blend perfectly. This technique will give you the sun kissed highlighted ends you’re looking for with much less noticeable growth lines as time passes.
Is balayage a good fit for you?
Balayage is not just for blonde highlights. You can have a balayage with any color! The most popular ones are blonde balayage and brown balayage, but any color could be used! Some balayage services may be more dramatic than others, involving foiled highlights due to the color lifting process. For example, balayage, when painted on without foil, only lifts a hair color 4 levels. This is ideal for a more natural, blended look. If your hair is super dark and looking to add bright blonde, you would need to add foiled highlights due to the drastic color change. Foil helps heat the color and lift beyond 4 levels.
Really, each stylist has their own technique, which sets them all apart. Some stylists will do a blend of both balayage and foilayage, one or the other or add several other techniques they have made up. That’s the beauty of the creative process of each individual stylist.
Benefits of Balayage
The biggest benefit to balayage is the low maintenance, which is more cost effective. Less upkeep will leave your bank account thanking you. We can all get behind a trend that doesn’t cost that much, right?
Balayage allows your roots to grow in with a more natural look that you do not have to constantly keep up with. Most other color services, you’re making an appointment every 4-6 weeks. Depending on preference and how your hair grows, you can let a balayage sit for months! The only touch ups you might need would be adding some painted strands here and there or maybe a toner if you’re looking for a less brassy blonde.
What to expect...
Your first appointment might be costly, due to the amount of time and technique. Most balayage services start at $200 depending on your hair. If your hair is thick and longer, there may be more color and time required to use, making your visit a little more in price. If your hair is short and fine, your visit might not cost as much as you think. The best way to know exactly how much a balayage service will cost you is to schedule a consultation with one of our stylists.
What happens when I need a touch up?
After that initial appointment, your hair might just need some minor touch ups along the way, depending on the person and how often your hair grows. Do the math. If scheduling appointments every 4-6 weeks that cost $150 and up is breaking the bank, opt out for a one time splurge that will last you months and overall be more cost effective!
Oliver's Balayage
Full disclosure, if you book a balayage service, you will be here for a couple of hours. Timing also depends on the length and thickness of your hair. To make your appointment run smoothly, we require/recommend you coming in for a consultation for your balayage appointment. This allows the stylist to get to know you, assess what direction they will take with your hair and let you know what will be happening during your appointment. Consultations at Oliver’s are only 15 minutes and complementary! See our blog on consultations here!
What to look for in a salon
Looking to find your new home for all of your beauty needs? When it comes to salons and spas, there are always so many to choose from. How do you know the right one? In this blog, I will highlight some points of research you should consider when looking for a new salon such as presentation, staff, credibility and social media presence. I will also highlight how Oliver's operates on a daily basis. Remember, it’s okay to be picky!
PRESENTATION - LOOKS MATTER!
First impressions matter. From the moment you walk into the salon, you should feel as though you want to instantly come back. Impressions of the people, the staff, the decor, the displays- everything. Is it neat and organized? Is it light and open? No one wants to sit in a cave while relaxing. Does the salon offer beverages and magazines? These all may sound silly, but these small things have a huge impact on your experience.
Is the establishment clean? There should be no hair, nail clippings or remnants of products everywhere. The salon should be neat and tidy with no lurking odors of anything non-salon related. Are they keeping up with the right sanitation processes? Are they using expired products? You’re coming here for appearance after all, so it’s okay to judge. Don’t ever feel afraid to ask these questions either. It’s better to know upfront, rather than find out and risk your health (or be disgusted).
OLIVER'S:
From the moment you walk in, you’re instantly greeted. The front desk associates are super friendly and helpful. The lighting is beautiful, there are tons of products and retail items to look at and a well decorated waiting room. They have a really cool coffee machine and reading material is available. Everything is neat, clean, dusted and swept. There is a relaxing, yet productive vibe to the salon. It smells fresh and clean. This is a big deal because most salons can smell like chemical products. The natural light is beautiful upstairs in the salon and nail areas and in the nail area downstairs.
Their sanitation process is up to date. For all nail tools, the salon uses an autoclave, which is a full proof sanitation process. See our blog on autoclaves here.
STAFF
Customer service can make or break a place. Personally, I’ve avoided businesses because of the people working in them. You should be greeted, treated and never feel fleeted. When calling in, does the customer service person greet you with a happy voice? Are they helpful? Do they go the extra mile? Some places can have attitude as far as who their clients should be. For example, I have been to a salon where they said, “well, if she can’t get her schedule down, we can’t take her.” That leads to my next point. Is the staff talking negatively about clients or other staff? We all understand how frustrating people can be, but it's never okay to express that in front of clients.
I also have witnessed some salons take a heavy deposit if you cancel appointments. Although each salon does have a cancellation policy, some are outlandish. Keep in mind, calling is a good preliminary way to judge an experience of actually being in the salon. You get a “vibe” of the place and how they treat customers.
OLIVERS:
At Oliver's, the front desk greets you, checks you in and directs you to the waiting room. They make sure to offer you a beverage as well. They also deal with a lot of incoming calls, requests and appointments while checking guests in and out, but manages to keep the experience their top priority. All of the service providers are super professional too. No client is turned down if there is an issue with scheduling. If nothing pops up in the system, the front desk reaches out to the service provider and asks if there is anything available that they are missing.
Oliver’s has a cancellation policy of 48 hours, however, a decision is made on a case by case review. For example, if you constantly book three appointments at a time, and no call no show them, they require you to put down a deposit for your next service. If you become sick the day before, but have the courtesy to call in and cancel as soon as possible, no deposit is forfeited. Oliver's understands that sometimes life just happens.
Besides the technical parts of the salon, the service providers are very knowledgeable and will be upfront and honest with you. For example, there have been many cases where a client has jet black hair, but wants to be blonde right away. The staff explains in detail how they can achieve the color they want without damaging your hair. While Oliver's like to give their clients everything they ask for and more, they have to keep the health of the clients' hair in mind.
CREDIBILITY
How long has the salon been around? Do they have a good track record? Are there cars outside, ever? Check reviews for happy customers. Is there an updated website with services? Do they have a social media presence for creeping? Have they won any awards? Are they a chain salon or a self-owned? Are they using high end products? It's important to take these questions into consideration when looking for a trustworthy place.
Experience matters. There’s nothing wrong with asking a salon how long they have been open, how experienced the stylists are or even reaching out to current clients for information. We have all seen salons that have been standing for years, salons just starting, and salons that move locations frequently. Which one is better than the other? That’s for you to decide. Make sure you do your research and find what salon fits your specific needs!
OLIVERS:
Oliver’s has been standing for 22 years. Some of the service providers have had experience longer than that. They have lasted through coming and going trends, other competition and economical changes and continue to improve and adjust. We also have more recent service providers that bring all the trend with the professionalism. They use high end products such as Aveda, Moroccan Oil, Jan Marini, etc. On top of all of that, they have won multiple awards for their outstanding service!
SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
These days, everyone has the ability to market themselves. Social media is a useful tool to create a narrative for your business, spread the word and showcase what your business has to offer. If used effectively, you can build an empire. Although it definitely takes time and effort to manage, it is one of the biggest footprints in the path to the future. Potential clients will look at your page to see what you have to offer.
It’s a way for someone to silently judge your business in the privacy of their own home. That’s why it’s important to keep it neat, clean, professional and consistent, but the business should be represented well. Also, happy clients should be able to tag their photos so the salon can build some new clients!
OLIVERS:
Oliver’s has a social media presence on all platforms; Google, Facebook, Instagram and even a blog. All of their pages are clean and professional. They have an attractive website that lists all services. Their website is easy to navigate and they have consistency in their posts. All of their contact information is available as well. They respond to every review, good and bad. They keep up with trends, post stories and are very responsive on social media.
CONCLUSION
So, when it comes to finding a salon to call your home, make sure you do your research. It can be difficult to know all of the information right away, so give yourself time to ask the necessary questions.
As far as Oliver's, we answer any question you have. Give us a call at 610-366-8808 or shoot us a message on one of our social media platforms!