Located on the corner of Queen and Jarvis, I walked in for my 9am appointment not knowing how amazing my morning was about to be in this cozy little salon. Entering Lift Salon & Spa your greeted with generous smiles and your jacket is taken and hung away. They offer drinks, and fruit to nibble not only while your waiting for you appointment to begin but also while getting your hair done. I opted for a Mimosa, because on a Saturday off what’s better than a 9am Mimosa?
I began my experience with a mini tour of the small establishment, finding out neat little details about the new location that’s been open less then a year. A neighbourhood friendly establishment adorned by arrangements made by Coco & Lily Flowers and subtle Toronto graffiti art strategically placed, the salon definitely encompass’ Toronto’s community in a very fresh, modern way. Co-owners Stracey Burtch and Heidi Hurtarte had decided to move their salon to this space last August, just a walk away from the old location at Adelaide and Church location. The interesting story behind their partnership dates back to them meeting as students more then a decade ago, and they kept in touch while moving around to different salons. Nine years ago the pair decided it was time to open their own salon, and scurried out to the World’s Biggest Bookstore and picked up a how-to on opening a salon. Heidi had told me they actually sat down and went through the book following the steps. When Heidi and Stracey originally met, Heidi was aiming towards doing hair colour while Stracey was doing haircuts. Heidi continued to tell me, “You don’t want me colouring your hair.” While Stracey laughed and stated “It took me an hour to cut my first bangs, just not my thing.” So they actually found out that their strengths were actually the opposite from their expectations. I would say they fit together like Ying & Yang, the perfect team that work together so creatively with ambitions that seemed to be perfectly synced to each other.
Finally taking a seat in Heidi’s chair, I was asked what I wanted done. Personally I’m not picky with my hair, and telling by the experience and hair knowledge just booming through this place I let them go with their best decisions. The only thing I told them was not to cut it to short as I’m trying to grow my hair in. So Heidi began cutting the dead ends off, which I knew I really needed. She then took me over to the wash station while telling me the story of the salon. She washed my hair with Redken’s extreme line to remove the ashy, slight tint of green from my previous dye job. She actually showed me the towel of product that had released from my hair after just that one wash. It was nearly shocking to see, but in a good sense because I knew it was now gone. I then moved to Stracey’s “station” who had a little chat with me about how dark I wanted to go. When I selected the colour darkness her face beamed with happiness as she said, “I know exactly what I’m going to do.” This brought me another sense of relaxation because if the expert is excited it can only mean good things. Stracey had slightly lost her voice the day I was there, so while she dyed my hair I got to meet some of the other hair stylist that work at Lift including Taca Ozawa who sat with me and shared his portfolio. Taca who has worked exclusively Ford Models until recently specializes in male models and has worked a lot with Redken and Fashion week. We all joked and chatted about all the eye candy they get in there, so I do slightly expect to see some next time I go get my hair done!!
Moving along, Stracey then washed out my colour and sat me back with Heidi to complete my cut. I could see that I loved the colour already. Heidi proceeded to cut my hair giving it a healthy shape that I just love. She managed to remove all my dead, over processed gross ends while keeping the length which made me extremely happy. The cut is absolutely beautiful and refreshing but it also shapes my face very well. I love that I gave barely any direction and left all my trust in these two obvious hair experts hands. The cut and colour are perfect together, and it’s what my hair desperately needed.
Jody Daye, the salons marketing director/consultant and makeup artist, finished me off by refreshing my poorly done morning makeup while chatting up a storm. He taught me very interesting techniques I can now use at home, and he even fixed up my eyebrows. I would suggest if you have the day off but plans for the evening, have a full day experience at Lift Salon & Spa. I guarantee you will leave there feeling runway ready, but be sure to get Jody to do the finishing touches. Heidi even joked that sometimes as a joke they would make a “fake client” for her just so she could have that extra time to have her makeup done so well by Jody. I must admit getting my makeup done after getting my hair done was a whole new experience for me, but definitely completes the whole beauty package. You really feel ready to strut down the road, and it slightly feels as if your in a hair commercial.
Lift Salon & Spa work with an ethic to completely satisfy their clientele so people leave there feeling ultra-beautiful. One of the very few salons that are exclusive to just one brand, Lift Salon & Spa uses only the best products in the industry from exclusively Redken. The vibes in there are always fresh and happy and they work to “lift” your experience beyond your greatest expectations. I have never left a salon feeling so at ease and happy about myself, my looks and the world in general. I loved everything from my new look, to the full experience in the salon, as well as my little to-go product bag featuring all the products I am going to need for my Vegas vacation next week.
Get “lifted” to a whole new experience today! Call and book your appointment, because they will not disappoint this you can take to the bank. Also the salon works to benefit The Teresa Group, a Toronto charity serving children and their families living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Check back soon for details on The Mane Event! at the ASK Academy and come support a great cause on Sunday June 9.
Check out below my before and after look!
Toronto Fashionista 