Before I get into how amazing of a salon Mystique Hair Design in White rock is, let me first tell you about how finding them came to be; and why Steph hands down is a rare gem with a heart of gold!
Last year I had a major hair crisis when my hair went every shade of “I didn’t want that”, from orange to green to wtf is that colour. I was devastated and fortunate enough for a friend to find me a salon to correct it. But in that time Steph reached out on social media to say that she was happy I found someone but if ever I was in need of anything in the future that they were here to help. WHAT! This is someone that doesn’t even know me and has nothing to gain but it showed just why Mystique Hair Design is in a league of their own. To me that was an act of pure kindness.
Even though I had my hair corrected, I still wasn’t in love with it as much as I wanted to be. I wanted someone that specialized in blondes as it has continued to be my obsession (recovering-former brunette). I also wanted to find someone that really invested in their clients and gave you that “I fucking love my hair” feeling every time I left the salon. So I decided to reach out to Steph and see if there was a stylist available, expressing that I was nervous to try someone new and wanted someone really good. Steph rest assured me that the whole team was amazing and she was setting me up with Lindsay. She told me that I would be in exceptional hands and I would be more than happy.
Here’s the thing… I went in feeling pretty good and relaxed that it would be a great experience, but what I got was way more than I could have ever imagined or hoped for. First off, if you haven’t been to White Rock you are missing out. Parking and walking down to the salon I was taken back by the beautiful view of the water, there is something magical when you can sense the ocean. Upon walking into the salon I was acknowledged by each staff member (even if it was just a look up from their client and a smile) and instantly greeted by Lindsay. It wasn’t an awkward first meeting, Lindsay welcomed me as if she had known me prior. We sat down and consulted on my hairs history so she could really grasp the life of my hair (well at least what I’ve put it through over the last few years). I told her that I wanted to go pretty blonde but not so much that I look washed out. Lindsay talked me through everything and before long we were underway on making me a blonde bombshell. Steph came over after she was done with her client and made me feel even more at ease that I was in great hands. Steph had this awesome energy about her and I could see why I had such a good feeling sitting at the salon. I hadn’t been sitting for long when the girls were bringing me over a little gift they give each client (a hot hand towel, under-eye beauty treatment patches, tea and yes….a yummy macaroon). I was feeling so relaxed and taken care of and I had only been there for a short amount of time. When everything was all done, Lindsay left me blushing at the image I saw looking back in the mirror. I knew right then and there that Lindsay was my girl! So with a refreshed attitude I left and continued loving my hair.
I ended up going back to Lindsay for another round of blonde and expressed to her that I was going through some changes and needed something adventurous, bold and different. I told Lindsay I tried a pink hue before and didn’t like the tone with my skin. And Lindsay said “oh you are a purple girl, why don’t you go purple”. “Purple? I don’t think I could do that”, I felt nervous and scared. But Lindsay being Lindsay with her huge heart took the time to go over the process saying lets just go light purple to test it out. She told me it wasn’t permanent and if I didn’t like it I could wash it frequently and it would fade out. But Lindsay had a feeling she wasn’t sharing: that I would fall in love with it.
Actually “fall in love with it” is a bit of an understatement. What transformed after going purple was something I could have never dreamed. It’s as if I finally felt more like myself than ever before. There was this whole new level of confidence. I owe a lot to Lindsay, the way she built trust with a new client was really something special. Here is a girl (Me) who was fearful to do something risky (I know most people might not think going purple is risky), but with Lindsay by my side I gave up control and decided to jump. What most people don’t know is I spent years in a relationship that would never allow me to do something like this. So from someone that felt boxed in, controlled and insecure, going purple was actually a really BIG THING for me. Actually when I was little I was obsessed with a purple lipstick and Cyndi Lauper so going purple was also a magical process believe it or not. This is just another reason that Mystique and Lindsay are in a league of their own. They had the confidence knowing how the purple would turn out and held my hand the whole way through. It’s not about $$$ – it truly is about the whole experience from the moment their clients walk in the door to the moment they send them out into the world to rock their new look. Whether I stay purple, go back blonde eventually or try something crazy and new; I have my complete trust in Mystique and Lindsay’s vibrant, expressive, creative mind. They say to “Love what you do” and it shows on every single client at Mystique Hair Design.
There are so many wonderful reasons to become a client at Mystique Hair Design, but before I finish off this heartfelt feature, here is a little Q&A on some hair love. Enjoy!
- Top trends going into winter: Darker colours; lots of reds!
- What’s the key to colour correction: There are many. many, many steps. First is to be realistic; understanding the process that got the hair in that condition in the first place. Going back and taking an inventory (history of the hair) of what’s been on it for the last 2 years.
- What is the benefit of using paper foils instead of metal foils: For a full head of foils they are better as they don’t conduct heat the same way metal foils do. And since bleach is heat-activated it allows us to control the process and lift slowly.
- Two ways to cancel unwanted brassiness: Highlights and Lowlights to add dimension. Also for blondes; using a purple shampoo for helping with yellow and blue shampoo (salon recommended) for orange.
- You have used two different colour lines on me; tell me what you love the most about both lines: La Biosthetique (Blonde) ~ This line is super conditioning (Vitamin E and Avocado oil); hair feels better after being coloured. The whole line is versatile and each colour can be mixed in many different ways. They are big on education with providing our team the opportunity to perfect our skills and craft (4-5 classes and 2 trade shows per year). And can we talk about their reds…they fade beautifully and last a long time (just ask Lindsay who is rocking some gorgeous colour) Pulp Riot ~ This line lasts such a long time and doesn’t fade fast, and it’s easy to remove when you want to change it. It makes the hair feel amazing and the colour smells so good you could eat it….. But don’t ha ha! Lindsay expressed to me that she especially loved helping me go purple as she got to express herself through the colour and be creative. Also loved the trust I put in her to customize it.
- Favourite treatment for hair right now: La Biosthetique PCC treatment (in salon only). It’s a 2 step process; first step is a vial liquid that adds protein to strengthen the hair and the second step is a conditioning mask to lock everything in.
- What’s your favourite product at this current moment: “High Dive” by R+Co. It’s for deep hydration and reflective shine; you add it to towel-dried hair before blow drying. It really helps with flyaways and is good for all hair types, especially for straightening or curly hair.
- Mystique Hair Design specializes in many amazing services, has there been any hair that you haven’t been able to work with: Henna Colour! If you put bleach or perm on it there is a chemical reaction that destroys the hair!!!!!!!!
- Top tips for hair: Always use a heat protector before heating-tools (styling) and sun exposure. Also don’t wash everyday; natural oils are great for hair and over washing it can strip the hair.
- How would you sum up the Team at Mystique: Supportive, hardworking, passionate. You basically summed us up by asking; WE ARE A TEAM! We work together and help each other out. We are also HUGE into EDUCATION. It’s very important to stay current, updated and challenge ourselves. Keeping things fresh and trendy is a top priority for our family (clients).
If I haven’t fully expressed how much I adore the girls at Mystique Hair Design, let me wrap it up in these final words. The shop is stunning and cozy, they carry awesome hair care brands, they give you treats during your treatment, the staff has a wicked energy, they give back to the community, they care about the environment, they are AMAZING Hair Gods (stylists) and the care about each client like they were family. Oh and the shampoo head massages are to die for!
I highly recommend contacting Mystique for a consultation and you can stalk them by check them out on their Website, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter
I am super excited for my next visit where Lindsay will be taking my purple to a whole other level; think Katy Perry!
Much Love, Beauty Buzz 411