We remain healthy and sane and hope this message finds you in similar spirits. Our top priority remains to ensure the health and safety of our team, clients and community – we all play a role in public health. We are closely following Government of Ontario announcements and have interpreted the “retail” aspects of their new guidelines as allowing us to open certain aspects of our services.
We take our responsibility to provide a safe, sanitary and comfortable salon very seriously and would like to familiarize you with our planned re-open policies. Not to worry, we will remind you of these new procedures via appointment confirmation and will need your consent to the relevant terms and conditions.
Arrival Time
Our biggest goal is to limit the number of people in the salon at the same time. Hence, we ask that you please attend your appointment by yourself and arrive 5 minutes prior as a waiting area will no longer be available. We will guide you to your assigned space and encourage you to stay in that area for your visit.
Limited Availability
To achieve the best social distancing possible, we will only be using only one client per floor and will need to make schedule changes. Right now we cannot perform any services that require a client and staff to be in proximity to each other. So no work can be done on your own hair or on a permanent attachment system. Only work on a detached wig or postiche, such as a wash and set or colour, can be done while you are at a distance. As our schedule is now a complete mess please be patient as we juggle everyone’s requests.
Protective Equipment
It is mandatory that you receive your service wearing a mask; please bring one as we will have limited quantities. Everyone working will also be wearing a mask.
For the sake of sanitation, we will be providing all clients with a protective layer, neck strip and towel.
Hand Washing & Sanitizer
Upon arriving, please sanitize your hands with either a 70% alcohol gel or soap and water at our designated wash station. We will be washing our hands before and after each client as well if necessary to leave and return during a service. Further, all relevant tools will be cleaned and disinfected before and after each appointment.
Health Check
We will confirm you are feeling healthy- no fever, cough or difficulty breathing. Also expect to have your temperature taken when you arrive with a contactless infrared thermometer. Any member of the team with a temperature above 99 Fahrenheit will be sent home, advised to seek medical attention and welcomed back when fever and any other symptoms of illness do not exist.
Limits to Personal Items
We ask that you limit your personal items to fitting into one small bag that remains in your assigned area. Please plan accordingly as no food or drink will be permitted and we will unfortunately not be offering any beverages.
Payments
To limit front desk interactions, prepare to pay for services and products with a wireless pin pad from your chair and make your next appointment requests via email.
Salon Environment
We are working hard to get our space health ready. We are removing all extra objects and furniture so that we can effectively clean throughout the day. We are committed to getting this evolving situation right. Our health depends on it.
Video Consultations
For those who would prefer to stay at home, we are offering video consultations to anyone interested. You’ll need either a computer with a webcam and microphone (most laptops are equipped with these) or a smartphone. Right now we use Zoom.
Please contact us via phone or email so we can make the arrangements!
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In the meantime, we encourage everyone to stay informed and follow the advice of health care officials.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Michael
To our Continental Hair community:
I hope this note finds you well! All of us are monitoring the novel coronavirus situation very closely and I wanted to reach out to all of you about what we are doing to keep Continental Hair salons safe and healthy for you and our staff and the community at large.
Although Continental Hair has always maintained a high level of hygiene we have enhanced these measures according to the latest guidance from the CDC, W.H.O, and our local public health officials. These measures include:
Regular disinfecting all high touch areas, including workstations, styling tools, capes, product displays, doors and chairs.
Lots of hand sanitizers. I mean lots. They are everywhere.
Continental Hair ensured that employees have the knowledge they need to stay healthy or stay at home if they are feeling unwell. These sick days will be paid.
The staff has requested that clients that are feeling unwell, or have travelled from a high risk area, to postpone their appointment until they are sure that they are well.
Clients can also avail themselves to masks that I have in the salon.
The fact is that there are many clients that come to Continental Hair that have compromised immune systems due to treatments, and the last thing we want is to cause them more risk, or have them become a vector to a hospital.
Many of our clients need to come and see us, that is the nature of this business, so we must make sure we take every precaution to ensure everyone’s health is the highest priority.
We are in a situation that has sharpened our focus on everyone’s safety and health. If you have any suggestions on how we may better serve this end, or any questions, please contact me.
Very best regards and thanks,
Michael Suba
President Continental Hair Ltd
Many women have not even heard of this condition. They certainly don’t want to. You do not have to experience hair loss to understand how traumatic it can be. And although I do not have alopecia I certainly have seen a lot of it. Having grown up in this business I can safely say there are few people, excepting the most specialized dermatologists, that have seen more women experiencing alopecia areata/totalis/universalis.
I was inspired to write this note because a client of mine posted about her summer on Facebook.
When I first met her in the salon she was a teenager. The sudden loss of hair was devastating, but she surprised me as how stoically she took it. A couple years later she even modelled for a photo shoot and no one would have guessed that she had no hair. Over the past couple of months she posted about her summer. Her own kids (now teenagers) are having a great time at the water park. She posts selfies with her husband and her trip to Italy. I have to give my head a shake to realize that I have known this woman for over thirty years.
But then, when I started to think about it, there are a number of clients that have been with me that long. And I just don’t know where the time went. Some come in monthly like clockwork to have their wigs washed and blown out. Others I see every year or two (or longer) when they need a new one. There is even a client that bought her first wig from my mother back in 1982 and I have never met her; she just calls every once in awhile and orders her “regular” over the phone and I ship it out to her.
You need to know you are not alone. There are a lot of men and women that have this kind of hair loss and many put themselves out there to give you support and information. The fact that you might not know this is a testament to how natural the wigs they are wearing. Call The Canadian Alopecia Areata Foundation. Contact bloggers and pod-casters. They have been through this and are there to help.
You are still you. As odd as it might seem coming from a wig sales guy, its hair, and you are the same person underneath. You can still pursue the same dreams, the same careers, the same goals, the same happiness. If there is one thing my clients have taught me through these decades is that hair loss is not a barrier to anything you want to accomplish.
You can look the way you want. This is not the ’70’s. Hair systems have come a long way! There are all kinds of hair systems out there that deliver a natural look, in all price ranges. Like anything else you have to do your research and your shopping but we are not talking about your grandmother’s wig. There are still some clunkers out there but for the most part there is an excellent selection for you to choose from. You are free to choose the hair you want.
This is tough. I am not saying otherwise. All I want to say is that I have seen hundreds of women over the years and many now look forward to a visit to the salon.
Michael Suba
President Continental Hair
When you are new to buying any product or service, it can be a challenge to get what is right for you. When I first started watching the night sky, I bought two useless telescopes before a found one that was right for me. I am sure that you have had similar experiences. It’s no different with hair.
The impetus to write this blog series comes from the fact that during the past year I have seen numerous examples of women who have purchased something that was not what they thought they were buying. It is very frustrating because they come to me to fix what they bought elsewhere and that usually is not possible. It goes to the quality of the product, and you cannot turn a Lada into a Mercedes.
So I have three stories to relate. I hope that they are helpful, and this by no means that I have a monopoly on beautiful hair. But as women’s hair enhancement has become more mainstream, more people see a “hot” market and want to take advantage of it.
The Postiche Lawsuit
The first story is about a dear client of mine. Her (and her daughter) have been with me for over fifteen years. They came in to see me last fall and immediately started apologizing to me. I asked them what the matter was.
The story goes, that since her husband passed away, she has not been able to afford the postiche/topper systems that I have made for her over the years. She decided to try another place. She showed them what “Michael made for her” and asked if this they could duplicate it. “No problem,” was the reply, “That’s easy.”
Pictured below is what she received a couple of weeks later. It cost her $1,100.00:
Exhibit A: The Crime
The knockoff topper
She was handed this and told to bring it to her hairstylist and have it cut for her. When she showed this to me, I was appalled. I thought that this must be a joke. But she was close to tears. I looked at it again, and I tried to see if there was anything that could I could do with it.
My first impression, and it still is my opinion, is that this was the top of a wig that was cut off in a back room and cheap comb clips in a very amateur fashion were attached (yes, there are different qualities of comb clips).
The thread for the clips, their unexpected direction, it just indicated to me that this was just thrown together by someone that had no idea what they were doing.
And the hair! I had to do a burn test (something mah momma taught me) to determine if it was real hair or not. You use a lighter to burn some strands and can tell by the smell. It was hair, but it was not quality hair.
What’s worse, there was no way to style this hair. Below is the underside of a “Suzie” designed postiche/topper, and is what my client is used to receiving from me. You see the ‘polyester silk’ is the base material, and it has what is called a ‘French Part” to make the scalp look completely natural.
The French Part is challenging to make. The hair must be poked through the white silk and then knotted underneath, and then the knotting needle must be extracted without tearing the fabric.
It is tough, but the results are amazing when done correctly.
The ‘Suzie’ Postiche / Topper
One of our ‘Suzie’ postiche / toppers
The ‘Suzie’ postiche from above.
So what could my client do? She could not wear this. And the salon she went to had stopped talking to her. They had “graciously” offered to make her a new one for several hundred dollars more, but my client declined.
I offered to take one of the old units that I still had of hers and re-condition it. I was going to forgo the cost, but she insisted on paying me for it. At least she would have something to wear.
It was essential to her and me. I have known her daughter for so long she has become a friend.
Case Closed
I heard the end of the story a few weeks ago. I bumped into her on Avenue Road, and she brought me up to speed. It was very stressful for her because she is the non-confrontational type, but she took the salon to court. The salon tried to argue their way out, but His Honour was having none of it. He ordered that my client receive a full refund. She was still wearing the topper that I had re-conditioned for her. She looked great!
What Should I Look For?
So let us go over how to avoid something like this happening to you.
See an example.
Remember, just because it is hair does not mean you are not shopping. See an example/sample of what is going to be made for you.
Try it on if possible. There is no way something off the shelf will give you a look you want without styling and colouring, but you can get an idea of where it can go.
Check the hair!
You can be told it is from Russia or Brazil. So what? Russian hair is usually not from high quality sources. Russian hair vs Brazilian? I can’t tell, and I’ve been doing this for some time now 🙂
Actually touch the hair. Does it feel nice? Does it look nice? Simple questions, and there should be simple answers. And remember, the finished product should be like the sample.
The salon should take responsibility for the styling and finishing.
You should not just be handed something and told to go somewhere else. This should be included in the purchase price of the hair. You really are not buying a bunch of hair, you are buying a look.
What vibe are you getting?
Are you being rushed? Are they acting professionally? Are your questions being taken seriously? Are they pushing for a sale? You can go with your gut.
It is a good thing that hair enhancement for women is becoming more socially acceptable. I have never understood why adding something to get the hair you want was something to be embarrassed over.
But it does seem to be subsiding. And that is a good thing.
That being said, it can leave “nubees” (and even some veterans) in the game vulnerable. Take your time (I have had clients come back 20 years after their initial consultation). Don’t get into analysis paralysis, but don’t be rushed. You do not always get what you pay for.
Next story: Next week!
This is a hard question to answer, but it’s even a harder question to ask. Its very difficult for a woman to accept the fact that she needs a hair system to help with her thinning hair, and can spend years first avoiding the question before even answering it. This is not unusual. And I have had many clients that have come to see me for an initial consultation and then come back several years later saying that now she is ready. And that’s okay. You go at your own pace.
What I would like to do is help you determine what hair system design is best for you; your look, your lifestyle and your budget.
Will it look natural?
This is the first question everyone asks, and the answer is, “Well, that depends.” There are a lot of hair systems and wigs and extensions out there that decidedly do NOT look natural. This can be due to several reasons; bad quality hair, too much hair, styling malfunction, bad fit. These are the things that you want to avoid because you need to realize that these can and do look amazingly natural. You have seen these natural hair systems, but you have not noticed them.
I have said for years that it is difficult being in an industry that, by definition, no one see your good work. And you have seen mine. There are several very prominent Canadian women that wear my stuff when they are in the news or reporting it and the public have no idea. This could be done for you as well.
Will everyone know that when I start wearing it?
If you are going from hardly any hair to a lot of hair it can be difficult to hide. But most women that come to see me about a hair addition design only want 10 to 20% more hair. Now make no mistake, that 10 to 20% makes a difference. But not something that stands out. And many clients will ease the transition by wearing her hair up or in a ponytail for a week or two before wearing it down.
You actually will be very surprised at how you get away with it (there are other strategies but that is not for a public forum). So don’t let this stop you. The longer that you leave it, the more worried you will become as the transition phase will become more apparent to you.
How can I tell what design is right for me?
The first thing you have to determine is whether you want to have something that is ‘permanently attached’ or ‘daily wear’?
The second thing is do you want virgin hair or processed hair?
Permanently Attached vs Daily Wear
A permanently attached system will stay in place for 3 to 5 weeks depending on how fast your hair grows (among other factors). Then you must return to the salon for the system to be removed and re-applied. This is a time and financial commitment so you have to decide if this is worth that investment. It depends on you.
There are several different methods of attachment and each salon has their favourites. You have to find one that is comfortable and secure. What you should be aware is that most permanent systems use processed hair that has had the cuticle stripped to avoid tangling. This takes away from the natural look and behaviour of the hair. Make sure that you see a sample to determine if the hair quality will give you the look that you want.
A daily wear system is something that you can remove and apply yourself. Most take it off at night and put it on in the morning but you can wear it (or not) whenever you want. This is actually the more popular of the two. These can be made in both processed and virgin hair.
Virgin Hair or Processed Hair
All my postiche/toppers are made with virgin hair and there is nothing more natural looking. Again, make sure that you see samples to determine if you like the quality. In any case I would avoid synthetic hair as it does not have a good look and only lasts for a few months and for these reasons I do not discuss it.An extra bit of advice; go shopping. I do not mean that in the sense that this is a bargain hunting exercise because getting the cheapest thing out there is definitely going to make sure you will not like it.
But look at different designs and ask questions. Get a feel for the salon and what they have done before. Ask about how they stand behind their product and what happens if something goes wide. Bring someone with you if you think it will help. A friend, sister, hairstylist, husband. This can help you immensely in making they right decision.
Know that hair in general is expensive. And good hair is really expensive. But you can get an amazing look that will give you a boost every time you look in the mirror. There are thousands of women out there that will swear to this. And each and every one of them felt the same way you do now.
Michael Suba
President Continental Hair
It’s 9 am on a Saturday. Regular crowd shuffles in…
We start early on the weekend because many of our clients like to have their wigs and hair systems made nice on their day off. This morning I had a client that has worn one of my postiche (topper) designs for many years bring in her sister. My client had just received her fifth postiche earlier in the week and she was very happy. All she could do was tell her sister how happy she was going to be.
Her sister, like her, is suffering from female pattern thinning, but it’s become so thin she can’t cover it any longer. Her sister was so encouraging that I could hardly get a word in. But she is right; she’s going to love it.
My next consultation was a woman that drove down from northern Ontario. She had been to several wig salons and said that she then decided to come see me. She is in her late 60’s and has had fine hair for a long time but over the past year it has accelerated. Now she needs a full wig. The salt/pepper colour is expensive in human hair but it is worth the look. But it has to be custom made. She will be back in a couple months to pick it up.
Then I had a young woman with her mother and aunt come in. She had already bought a wig at the Continental Hair salon at Sunnybrook Hospital but wanted it trimmed. I have a policy that all wigs and hair systems can have additional styling and colour work done for no charge for a month after it’s purchased. It’s called “the tweaking time”. She had purchased this wig several months ago but when her mom called me I told her that there would be no charge.
She is in her early 20’s and lost the hair on the back of her head because of radiation treatment. When she had trouble sitting down in the styling chair her mother told me that she had mild cerebral palsy as well.
The wig was too heavy in front. They had been very cautious about cutting the bangs too short so way too much hair fell in front of her face. I took a display wig and put it on her to show her what a layered front bang would look like. She loved it.
When my stylist Vasella layered the front you could start seeing her face. Vasella works slowly and methodically when styling a wig. She makes sure she does not get ahead of her client (or her cheering section). So it took awhile but finally we could see her face. The sloping bang was still long enough to put behind her ear or up with a clip. They were very happy.
When they were leaving the mother tried to give me a $20 tip. I could see that they were not rich and this was more than an empty gesture.
But my policy is always the same: “You don’t tip the owner. You already paid me.”
I was just happy the left so happy. The girl was beaming.
