Being a blonde is hard. No really. There are so many different shades of blonde to consider and once you think you know what shade is best for you then it is time to find a stylist who can create that look. I have had the hardest time finding the exact stylist who I can completely trust to achieve my ideal blonde color since my original hair color is pretty dark. Even thought I always bring a picture or two of my “perfect shade” it has been a hard road to find a stylist who gets exactly what I am going for and also gives me the right feedback for what would look best. After having a minor Khaleesi moment ( I went a little too blonde) after my last salon appointment, I was so excited to get my hair back to a more natural and healthy state. After booking an appointment to get a cut and color with the owner of the Rittenhouse Club and Spa, I knew I would be in good hands and I can’t say enough about how happy I was with the results.
If you have never been to the salon, Paul Labrecque and his team of highly trained stylists make you feel right at home. Not only was Paul extremely knowledgable about hair but his personality made me feel like he was someone I had known forever. After a brief consultation in which I told him that I was looking to go with a more natural blonde look and showed him a picture I had saved, he quickly began the process of balayage. After being double processed, balayage was a breath of fresh air. The best part about it was not having to spend hours getting foils in my hair and I was amazed how he just painted in the color. My hair is extremely thick so just this alone sold me on everything. When all was said and done, I could not get over how healthy and effortless my hair looked. I was in love with the color and cut/style, and was so happy to get done exactly what I had asked for.
If you are in need of retail gift suggestions this holiday, Ettore Mastroddi, one of the senior stylists at the salons helped to compile a few gift ideas:
1. The Cortex Professional four-in-one ceramic curling set ($176). Ideal for traveling, this set allows you to switch out different sized wands (1/2, 1, 1.5 and 2 inch) to create stylist-level looks wherever. They used this on my hair and it was amazing.
2. Paul Labrecque gift set for the ultimate at-home blowout, especially great for fine hair. Combine Paul Labrecque root lifting spray, Volume Style ($22) and work his fade protection foam Color Style ($24) into the ends before drying, once dry finish with Paul Labrecque Volume Finish ($26) mist. – $72 total
One of their lead estheticians in the spa, Irina Kravchenko also recommended the following top products from their best beauty and skin care lines:
1. The Regenerating Collection from ESPA. A gift set that provides natural, core essentials for distressed skin with a huge added value. For $145, the set includes ESPA’s signature Nourishing Cleansing Balm (60g), Hydrating Floral SpaFresh (100ml), and the Regenerating Moisture Complex (55ml). Gift givers will save $82 purchasing this as a set rather than buying each item individually.
2. Irina also recommended a “Diamond White Holiday” set from Natura Bisse ($250). These luxurious products help emulate the benefits from their signature Diamond White Facial treatment. This gift includes their Diamond White Cleanser ($74), Diamond White Mist ($74) and their Diamond White Oil-Free Brilliant Protection ($102).
More information on the Diamond White line can be found here: https://www.naturabisse.com/en/results?c=23
For the very special guy in your life both Ettore and Irina also recommend the ultimate shaving set from Truefitt & Hill, the top-of-the-line in terms of men’s shaving, who have been creating their products in England for more than two centuries. Their products make great gifts for any guy but adding in their superior brush and razor set will round out the perfect gift for the most important guy in your life: Shaving Cream ($30), After Shave Balm ($48), Brush and Razor Set ($298). More information on that set can be found here: https://www.truefittandhill.com/products/edwardian-collection
Also, any gift cards purchased over $300 through the end of December will yield an additional gift card worth 10% of the gift card purchased.
If you are in the Rittenhouse area of Philly this holiday season, it is definitely worth a stop to check out everything the salon, spa, and club have to offer. I know you’ll be just as impressed as I was!
