For 15 years, bob + paige has been offering its Toronto clients cool cuts and a great salon experience. Top stylist, Alexandra Gaunt shares what a typical visit is like...and reveals her favourite new hair trends:
Since we re-opened after the pandemic shut down, we’re busier than we’ve ever been. But no matter how bustling things are at the salon, clients tell us they always feel very well taken care of from the moment they walk in.
Once you arrive, you’re greeted at reception and taken to your stylist’s station for a consultation. There isn’t much waiting around which people really appreciate! Once seated in one of our comfy chairs, we always offer coffee, tea, or water (flat or fizzy!).
Kids can have hot chocolate or freezies in the summer. We have a really great espresso machine and can do a fantastic cappuccino, double espresso over ice, even a London Fog. The assistants get pretty extravagant!
The other thing we take pride in is our scalp massages. It’s a huge part of our service. We get a lot of praise for these! When assistants start training at the salon, they wash each other’s hair so they can get used to ‘the bob + paige way’ of doing them which includes firm pressure with a bit of neck and shoulder as well. It’s a full relaxation service.
You know, I’ve had a lot of clients tell me they’ve sometimes felt judged or uncomfortable at other salons, but they never feel that way at bob + paige. The stylists and assistants are all so different; there’s no judgement, fancy or not fancy!
Alex’s 8 Biggest Hair Trends for Right Now:
Colour
1) BRONDE
This is a huge colour trend right now – a lot of blondes are choosing to go darker even in the summer. So many clients started coming in with pictures of Hailey Bieber a few months ago. Gigi Hadid also looks great as a bronde. It’s very natural and one of those colours that makes you wonder, ‘Is she brown or is she blonde? I just don’t know….’.
2) COPPER
This fiery colour is super popular right now even though it’s not the easiest colour to achieve. It’s great for people who are already naturally light. If you choose permanent, you’ll need a lot of touch ups, but if you’re already a blonde with highlights you could do a toner to try it out and let it fade out. A natural blonde will find copper easy to maintain.
Keep your new copper ‘do looking vibrant with Tressa Watercolors Intense Shampoo Copper.
Styling
3) UNDONE BEACHY WAVES
This is a flatter, more textured look than the traditional beach wave. Textures have more of a kink than a curl. We’re seeing a lot of it on fashion runways. It’s more ‘roughed-up rock star’ than ‘smooth and pretty’. This is an easy look to achieve if you already have texture in your hair. But you can always add some kink with a flat iron or mess up your hair with a sea salt spray. I like Rock Away Salt Spray from R+Co and Kms Hair Play Sea Salt Spray.
Cuts
4) THE FLUFFY 90s BLOWOUT
This is a voluminous style that’s classic and put-together but also tousled and effortless.
It’s a very sexy hair style! A lot of people are using Velcro rollers to achieve extra volume and get that fluffy look. I like to use mostly volumizing products such as Grandiose Hair Plumping Mousse, Brilliance & Shine Soft Lacquer Heat Styling Spray, and Thick Dry Finishing Spray, all by Oribe.
5) THE BUTTERFLY
The butterfly is super popular! It’s basically a classic round layered cut with longer layers in the back which gives lots of texture. It’s still keeping the length, but the shorter layers add face framing and shape. It’s a cut that works with pretty much any kind of textured hair.
6) THE WOLF
I’m seeing a lot of teenagers getting this cut but it’s quite ageless. It’s basically a very short shag with shorter layers around the face and a little mullet in the back. You can go shorter or longer, and it’s nice for people who naturally have a little bit of wave or texture. It’s also great for fine hair. You can style this cut at home with Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray.
7) THE BIXIE
This cut is in between a bob and a pixie. It’s basically a very short bob with shorter layers in the back, and a bit of a fringe. It’s a nice style to choose if you’re scared to go very short, and you can rough it up with some texture. I like to use Kerasilk Styling Volumizing Styling Foam.
8) THE FRENCH BOB
This is a simple, chin or jaw-length style that works on both fine and thick hair - all one length with a slight bit of texture. There’s no curl but more of a bend. If your hair is super thick, you might want to get an undercut. I like to style the French Bob with Style Sign Ultra Volume Top Whip Shaping Mousse by Goldwell.
Want to try the bob + paige experience? Make an appointment!