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Spring into a New You: Explore Spring Hair Trends

As the vibrant energy of a Chicago spring fills the air, it’s the perfect time to embrace change, especially when it comes to your personal style. At Fringe in Wicker Park, we’re passionate about helping you achieve your dream hair, guiding you through a transformation that leaves you feeling confident and beautiful. Be ready for Chicago’s summer fun with healthy, gorgeous hair.

Discover Your Dream Hair

During consultations, we delve deep into your aspirations, asking questions like, “What is your dream hair?” and “If you could have any hairstyle, what would it be?” Our goal is to understand your vision and work tirelessly to bring it to life, one visit at a time. So bring us your inspirations, we love pictures old and new they are a great conversation starter.

Tailored Transformations

Every transformation begins with a thorough analysis of your unique features. We consider factors such as your face shape, hair type, and personal style to craft a look that perfectly complements your lifestyle and personal style. Moreover, we take into account practical aspects like salon visit frequency, styling preferences, and desired maintenance level, ensuring your new style fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.

Hot Hair Trends for Spring

This season, the Fringe Team is seeing a resurgence of timeless classics and exciting new trends in Wicker Park and Chicagoland. Here are some of the hottest styles making waves:

 

Butterfly Haircuts: Featuring long layers and face-framing strands, this modified shag emulates the fluttering of a Butterfly,  adding movement and dimension to your look, effortlessly complementing your springtime glow. Reframe your eyes and cheekbones with curtain, wispy or side bangs to bring out your best feature.

 

 

Cowboy Copper: Embrace the warmth of spring with this soft, strawberry copper hair color accented by golden blonde highlights. Cowboy Copper exudes a playful charm that’s perfect or all the different looks in your summertime wardrobe.

 

 

Balayage in the City: Balayage remains a top-requested service in Wicker Park, offering endless possibilities for customized color. From Vanilla Chai to Salted Caramel, these evocative descriptors add depth to your hair, creating high-contrast dimension and a stunning visual impact.

 

Blonde, Blonder and Blondest – At Fringe, we are the well known as Blonde Experts.  A Platinum Double Process  isstill a top service at Fringe, thinking of making this leap- you can trust the experts at Fringe. From Baby Highlites, to chunky and bold, a thoughful consultation will get you the exact highlights you want.  New Trend is the Scandi-Blonde,  a perfectly balanced Highlight with a bit of  lightening on the baby hair at your hairline.

• Book Your Transformation Today

Ready to refresh your look for Chicago’s Spring? Schedule a consultation with our expert stylists and let us guide you towards your dream hair. Whether you’re searching for a subtle change or a bold transformation, we’re here to make it happen.  Open 7 days a week with hours to accommodate your busy schedule.

At Fringe, we utilize the finest lightener available, now relaunched with cutting-edge technology designed to safeguard the health of your hair. Combined with our premium hair care products, your locks will exude vitality, shine, and resilience like never before!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to embrace the season with a fresh new style. Contact us today and take the first step towards a hair journey you’ll love.

Tips for Healthier Skin and Hair To beat the Chicago Winter

Hydrating Beauty Services and Hair and Skin-care products products available in Wicker Park, Chicago.

It’s that time of year, whipping winds, dry air and chilly temps can wreak havoc on our bodies. Fringe’s Best Salon Product recommendations to target dehydrated skin, dry hair and brittle nails during our long winter months.

Keep it cool and skip the super hot shower.  Long exposure to hot water can strip moisture from hair and skin. So as tempting as a hot shower may sound lukewarm and shorter time will help a great deal. Use aran infused MoroccanOil’s  Shower  Gel to lather up  and finish with with MoroccanOil’s Body Souffle or for  extreme dryness use the MoroccanOil Body Butter.  Moisturize dry skin on your body as often as you can to deliver those benefits and beyond.

 

 

 

Hydrating Skin Care


It takes diligence and effort to prevent your face from becoming dry  and dehydrated in the colder months. Chillier temperatures combined with low humidity and forced air all deplete our moisture.  Hyaluronic Acid is an important serum to add to your routine, use HA-Revive Hyaluronic Drops: Next-level hyaluronic acid-powered hydrating serum, boosts moisture levels, while plumping and strengthening for refreshed, radiant skin.  We also recommend adding Glo Skin Beauty’s HA-Revive Hyaluronic Mist: Created to deeply hydrate and help prevent water loss by reinforcing skin’s protective barrier. Use it to rehydrate throughout the day or to prep skin for serum and moisturizer.

  Book a HydroFacial with the ‘Best Esthetician in Chicago’, Susan DeChant.  This new service uses technology and the finest hydration serums  for a a deep cleanse and hydration that penetrates deep into the skin.  

 

 

 

 

The Best Hydrating Hair Products for Winter
Rough hair also needs a little extra care during the colder months. Winter hats have the potential to cause damage to your hair if worn too often. So, making sure your hair gets the attention it needs it is recommended to use products such as KEVIN.MURPHY HYDRATE-ME.WASH and HYDRATE-ME.RINSE. These products deliver moisture and are designed to restore and replenish hair in need of repair. If your hair is a little fragile and needs strengthening and moisture, we highly recommend K18 Leave-in Treatment.     For a daily dose of moisture, add a few drops of MoroccanOil Treatment Oil,  this weightless argann formula is the original and best selling.  This formulation will penetrate into hair’s inner layer, increasing the suppleness and strength of your strands.

Itchy, Flakey  Dry Scalp Solutions

Dry scalp is a serious issue in the winter and we have the best products for you.  For those with fine hair,  try Kevin Murphy’s  Scalp Spa line. This line is great for exfoliating the dry skin and balancing the scalp. SCALP.SPA SERUM that offers targeted instant soothing and balancing relief to an itchy, dry or irritated scalp Another really great product is MoroccanOil’s Dry Scalp Oil.  formerly a professional only treatment, now availbale for home use.  A pre-shampoo treatment to soothe dry, flaky, or itchy scalps. Formulated with argan oil to nourish and salicylic acid to exfoliate. 

The best Hand Cream
Dry hands and brittle nails also show up this time of year. While getting a manicure to some may seem like a luxury, it actually is a must in the winter. Freezing digits cause cracks and painful skin while dry air saps the moisture right out of nails leaving them delicate and susceptible to breaks and tears. It is recommended to continue every two weeks to keep them both in healthy condition.  MoroccanOil’s Luxurious Hand Cream is available at Fringe. An intensely hydrating yet fast-absorbing hand moisturizer formulated with argan oil, hyaluronic acid, squalane, and a blend of cocoa and shea butters.

 

 

 

Need to book a Hydrating service or pick up a few products.  Shop local-  We appreciate your support. 

Fringe is located in the heart of Wicker Park and has been considered one of the Best Salon in Chicago for over 21 years.  Out team of dedicated Stylists are available 7 days a week and open late on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays until 9pm.

Follow us on Social Media

FaceBook  @FringeChicago

Instagram   @FringeeChicago

Shop at our Online Store –   We appreciate your support.

Eyebrow Lamination

We all have our techniques to make our brows look fuller. Through gel, pencils, or permanent makeup a lot of us like to make our eyebrows look more defined and bold. While there are numerous tricks out there for people to use, one of the newer techniques is Eyebrow Lamination. This newly popular service is taking the beauty industry by storm and is now a service that we offer at Fringe. Here we are going to break down everything you need to know about eyebrow lamination and why it will make your brow routine easier!

 

What is Eyebrow Lamination?

Eyebrow lamination is the process of perming the eyebrow hair so they appear straighter and more full. For those with curly or unruly eyebrows, this will tame the hair into a more manageable position. For those with flat or fine eyebrows, this will lift the each strand in a more upright position making them look fuller.

What is the process?

During the appointment, the eyebrows are brushed into the desired direction and set with a bonding gel. Then, a series of solutions are applied in order to give the brows that ‘laminated’ look. After, a serum is applied to the bold brows!

How long does lamination last?

The results last 4-6 weeks.

How long does the service appointment take?

The brow lamination process takes 45 -60 minutes.

Can you get a lamination with other services?

Yes, but with limitations. Due to the chemicals used in the lamination process, any service that involves exfoliation can not be combined. Waxing, chemical exfoliation, and manual exfoliation can cause irritation when the lifting solution is applied to the skin. If a guest would like to have any of these services done, it is advised to schedule the service 3 days before or after the lamination process. Alternatively, a brow tint is a very popular service that can be added during the lamination process. A brow tint would add definition and deepen the brow, making the desired look even more achievable!

How to prepare for the service?

It is recommended to come to the appointment with clean skin and no makeup in the brow area. Do not exfoliate the skin less than 48 hrs before the appointment and stop any retinol use 4 days before lamination.

What is the after care?

After the lamination process, do not wet the area for 24 hrs. After 24 hrs, wash the area and brush the hair in the direction of the lamination. To elongate the results, try to avoid excessive exfoliation and sweating in the area. Oil, sweat, and exfoliation can cause the results to lessen more quickly.

 

before and after

 

 

Rikki Mygant has completed training and certification and is taking appointment now for Brow Lamination.

Learn More About Rikki Here

You may BOOK HERE

Fringe is offering an

Intro Price 

$49 for Brow Lamination

$ 64 for Brow Lamination with Tinting

( through August 15, 2022)

 

Everything You Need to Know About Eyebrow Tinting
Do you want fuller, more bold brows but don’t have the time to do them yourself? Then,
eyebrow tinting might be for you! With this easy 15 minute service, wake up every
morning ready to go!
● What is Brow Tinting?
○ Eyebrow Tinting is the process of applying a semi-permanent dye to the brow,
enhancing the color and shape of the brow.
● What are the benefits of Brow Tinting?
○ Tinting the eyebrow can make the hair darker and look fuller.
● How long does tinting last?
○ The tint can last 3-8 weeks.
● What is the process?
○ After mapping out the perfect shape for the clients brows, a small amount of dye
is applied to the hairs using an angled brush. The dye will then process for up to
10 minutes, or until the desired color is achieved. Once the dye has finished
processing, the dye will be removed with a wet cloth revealing a beautifly, bold
brow!
● After care
○ For best results, do not wash the area for 24-48 hours. Chlorine, sweat, and
exfoliating in the area can fade the results more quickly, so try to avoid these
activities and get touch ups every few weeks.

Wicker Park Stylist Spotlight: Michael Mullen

In April, we celebrated our 19th year in business on Milwaukee Avenue. Our Wicker Park salon has evolved many times over the last couple of decades, but a few things have remained constant. As we reflect on nineteen years of Fringe, a certain face appears throughout our memories: Michael Mullen. This veteran Wicker Park stylist has been leading the pack since the very start and we’re proud to spotlight his work this month!

Beginnings

Michael made made his first splash in Chicago after migrating from the suburbs of Louisville. It was these early Chicago days when he began exploring his knack for styling hair and makeup.

He soon found himself in a headfirst dive into the beauty industry, proudly wielding his burgeoning talent and natural passion. While a student at the School of Hair Design in 1989, Michael was entered in a state-level competition and awarded First Place.

 It was apparent then he possessed the right combination of passion and creative talent required to succeed in beauty. Fringe was lucky enough to work with Michael in the early days, giving our Wicker Park salon some pretty solid legs to stand on.

A Master Among Us

Featured in Modern Salon and Self magazines, Michael is best known for his instinct and deep knowledge of color correction, blended highlighting, and gray coverage. He is also adept at texture work, specializing in the Rusk anti-curl system and customized permanent waves. While his hands are nimble and his eye for color sharp, Michael takes care to guide his clients down the best path for their hair. His biggest piece of advice for every client? “Do your best to accept your hair and make the most of it and enhance it rather than putting your hair through so much.”  This advice – a gift that comes with 25 years of expertise – creates trust in a client-stylist relationship.  

It is impossible to celebrate nineteen years of Fringe without celebrating Michael Mullen. Through the ups and downs of business and life, he has kept the colors flawlessly blended and the grays far, far away. Our salon would not be the same without this legendary Wicker Park stylist.

It’s Gonna Be a Hot Curl Summer

Curly hair is a blessing but sometimes, in the heat of a muggy Chicago summer, it can feel like a curse. Here’s what the Fringe team recommends for making it through to autumn with killer ringlets and waves.

1. Use Protection

UV rays are one of the beauty industry’s favorite foes to warn you about, and we agree: you need protection! Everyone knows sun damage to your skin not only puts you at risk for certain cancers, it also speeds up the aging process. But what about your hair?

Inconveniently, UV rays can do a number on your hair just the same as your skin. Curly hair people in particular should look for products to reduce sun damage. It takes a special combination of products to hit that sweet spot of looking fresh while providing adequate protection from the sun.

If you’ve got colored curls, we recommend the Protect & Prevent Spray. It keeps your color from turning brassy or fading, protecting it from the environmental influences that make your hair weak. Protect & Prevent neutralizes free radicals and pollutants while incorporating sunscreens to absorb those pesky UVs. Once your curls are protected, finish up with Moroccanoil® Beach Wave Mousse


2. Avoid Over-Shampooing
Let’s shift the focus from your curls to the scalp from whence they came, shall we? Curly hair folks can become hyper-focused on achieving the perfect spiral that they forget to tend to the source of hair health. It’s important to clarify the scalp on a regular basis. This helps remove buildup that can drag your curls down. Curly-headed people tend to use more product daily, so a regular clarifying schedule is important. Start with Moroccan Oil Clarify.

Then, consider moving to a no-foam, one-step shampoo & conditioner. We know; all-in-one shampoos/conditioners are usually trash. At least for people with delicate, beautiful curls! But the MoroccanOil Curl Cleansing Conditioner is the way and the light; it cleanses, detangles, and conditions simultaneously. This not only saves your time, but it allows you to avoid over-working your curls and helps maintain their integrity.
We also love R+Co’s ANALOG co-wash.This one works great for frizz reduction and adding shine to all hair types.

3. A Fresh Cut Will Keep That Curly Hair Bouncing
When was the light time your curls were handled with a loving, professional hand? Allow us to introduce Trent Talbot.

Trent is the resident master of curly hair cuts and styles here at Fringe. We love his work because he understands that every head of curly hair is different and needs to be cared for and styled in a unique way. He has a keen eye for shaping curly cuts, which has a huge impact on what happens to your hair after the salon. The right cut from Trent will create a low-maintenance look that can last months, and he always takes the time to educate curly clients on product and technique.

Curly hair people know the pitfalls of walking into any old salon and getting a cut from any old stylist: It’s always a gamble. But Trent? He’s a sure bet. Book a consultation with Trent here!

4. Define Your Curly Hair With the Right Products
Ok, so you’ve got the perfect curly hair cut and you’ve protected it from sun damage and you’re using gentle, hydrating shampoos. Sounds like a curly hair success story! Then you step outside on a 90-degree day with 85% humidity. What’s your next move? (Here’s what we recommend)

 – R+CO Twister Curl Primer, which will define your curls without leaving them crunchy.  R+Co loves to layer up and create a cocktail for your hair, so check out their whole line at Fringe-online.com!

– If you want to activate your curls and reign in frizz, Kevin Murphy has an impressive curly lineup. The Killer Curls, Killer Waves, Motion Lotion, and Undressed are our top picks.

 – Curl Control mousse by MoroccanOil is lightweight and spreads easily into all of the hair. It was designed to hold curl all day long and allows you to pull and lengthen curls without frizzing out or disrupting the curl pattern. No crunch hold necessary – think Sarah Jessica Parker!

Curls can be the biggest hair blessing but without the right products, they can feel like a curse. Especially in the thick of a muggy Chicago summer. The Fringe team is dedicated to making 2021 a very Hot Curl Summer.

Choosing the right salon can alter the trajectory of an up-and-coming stylist’s career. When Molly Schuman came to Fringe as an apprentice in 2015, it was clear she had chosen the best place to grow as a stylist, an artist, and a person.

Throughout her apprenticeship, Molly mastered advanced cutting. She also leaned into color theory with a focus on lightening hair. These basic skills are crucial for the success of any new stylist, but Molly was able to take her talent to the next level and carve out a unique creative space for her clients at Fringe.

Over the last five years, her eye for style has become a huge asset to the salon. Several of Molly’s most loyal clients book with her to achieve a highly customized, creative look with bold and vibrant colors. Her color transformations are some of Fringe’s most liked on Instagram, and you can see why!

Don’t let her knack for explosive color fool you, though; Molly is no one-trick pony. She knows her way around the perfect balayage and is an expert at platinum blonde-ing!

Most importantly, Molly is skilled in helping clients rediscover their own confidence. Sometimes, a hair makeover is all it takes for that one client to remember how fabulous they are, and Molly loves to help get them there. This is why we recently promoted her to Senior Stylist here at Fringe.

When she isn’t mixing dyes, Molly loves the comforts of cooking at home and loving on cats.

 

Wicker Park Salon Celebrates 19 Years Despite Pandemic

Following a wild and unpredictable year, Fringe remains a small business anchor on Milwaukee avenue. A go-to Wicker Park salon for many residents, Fringe was woven into the neighborhood fabric almost nineteen years ago and continues to stand tall despite recent financial pressures. As a new year approaches with promises of brighter days, owner Dawn Bublitz is forging ahead with the same optimistic force as when she opened the Wicker Park salon in 2002. She’s equipped with much more than just a positive outlook, though. The perspective she’s gained from almost two decades as a business owner, mother, and beauty professional give Bublitz the hardiness to steer Fringe through the uncharted waters of pandemic life.

In the early 2000’s, Bublitz made the leap from stylist to Jill of All Trades after nine years working at another salon. First, she became a homeowner, settling down in Wicker Park just two blocks from the main strip of Milwaukee avenue.

“I had purchased a home in Wicker Park, which was a fast-changing neighborhood at the time. Many of my clients were coming over to Wicker Park for the restaurants, so I felt it was a safe bet they would follow me over here.”

And they did. Bublitz soon added “business owner” to her list of new titles; Instead of searching for another salon to employ her, she opened her own just steps from her new home. Fringe officially became part of the Wicker Park small business scene in April 2002.

For Bublitz, the move and the opening of the Wicker Park salon had a lot to do with timing. With a great deal of real estate available at the time, she ended up choosing a former warehouse holding space for Continental Furniture (now closed). “It needed a tremendous amount of buildout” says Bublitz, who had suddenly found herself on an unexpected career path.

“I actually never expected to open a salon. From 1987 – 1993 I pursued a political science degree at University of Illinois at Chicago, with plans of going to Law School. However, once I started studying for the LSAT, I realized that I could never work behind a desk all day. I really loved working behind the chair, training assistants and meeting and talking to exciting people every day and making them beautiful.”

Original Storefront and interior from 2002.

In fact, the direct impact on clients is one of the most rewarding parts of the job, according to Bublitz. It’s no secret that a little TLC in the stylist’s chair can have profound effects on a person’s well-being. While the term “self-care” has been sprinkled liberally upon consumers in recent years, there are viable roots to its original meaning and purpose. When a client comes in emotionally frayed or at the end of their rope, some simple care and attention often brings them back to a neutral place. When the stylists get a chance to help someone who needs this care and attention, the reward is big. According to Bublitz, it can be an emotional experience at times.

“Over the years, a few clients have told me they have a cancer diagnosis, and they are going to be losing their hair. Hair loss from chemo is devastating and with life or death on the line, it is necessary. When a customer tells me what they are going through, I have created a plan that helps my guests get through this.”

Bublitz often meets with her clients at a wig shop, where they together shop for the perfect fit. Most importantly, they search for a wig that will best match their own color and texture.

“These are my most memorable, because after 20 plus years of monthly appointments, I am so happy to be here to help them through this difficult time.”

These memories also serve to preserve Bublitz’s perspective during a year that has been especially brutal for small businesses. Despite implementing strict health & safety protocols inside the massive salon, appointments remain on the light side. She realizes, though, that she is luckier than most. The Wicker Park salon remains open, with the team creating new ways to drive sales.

Bublitz’s indomitable sense of spirit, combined with some quick thinking, helped get Fringe through the initial stages of the pandemic and subsequent shutdown. Back in March, she orchestrated Fringe’s pivot to retail, selling the salon’s professional hair and skin products online. In addition to filling and packing orders, Bublitz made same-day local deliveries throughout Wicker Park herself. Fringe continues to offer these products for delivery or same-day pickup at Fringe-online.com

The hope for Fringe in 2021 is that as vaccines continue to roll out, client visits to the salon will increase. In the meantime, Bublitz continues to fine tune her business instincts. A 2019 graduate of the 10,000 Small Business program through Goldman Sachs, the Wicker Park salon owner is ever pursuant of additional leadership education. Her focus for the new year will be developing and supporting the salon team members, who have seen a dramatic drop in client bookings. Bublitz has seen her salon through some dark times, though, and she’s not afraid to forge a path into the unknown. For now, Fringe will rely heavily on retail sales the team hopes to fill lots of orders in the Wicker Park neighborhood this winter. Spring will bring the Wicker Park salon ’s nineteenth anniversary and, for Bublitz, a marker of perseverance in small business.

 

Employees circa 2006 and 2016

Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you’ve made it past phase 1 of Chicago Winter. The first snows have fallen and temperatures have dipped below freezing. From the eyes of a Chicago salon, “the season” is officially here. This “season” is when our clients usually start visiting with complaints of dull skin, dry hair, and general “blah” feelings about the way they look.

Here we are once again. The period when your holiday glow begins to fade and the physical evidence of winter begins to set in. You may notice unmanageable hair with crunchy ends. Your hands may begin to crack under the figurative pressure of bad weather, especially after a year of relentless sanitizing and washing. As your skin loses moisture and buildup accrues, you may feel like your face is less lively and vibrant. The good news is, it’s not just you.

These are simply side effects of living in Chicago. A bit of dry hair and skin is just a fact of life. Bearing the lakefront winter is surely a badge of honor around here, but you don’t have to lose out on moisture just to live in the Windy City. There are a couple of things you can do to combat dry winter skin and hair in a long-term way.

The team at our top Chicago salon put together a couple of honest tips on how to stay hydrated, bouncy, shiny, and soft this winter. Whether it’s your skin, hair, or whole self we highly recommend committing to moisture while you wait out the wind and cold. Check out our hydration tips below, and keep an eye out for our special offer!



Winter Hydration Tip 1: It Begins From Within You’re probably going to roll your eyes at this advice because you’ve heard it a million times, but here it is: Drink water. More than you think you need. Especially if you have forced heat or space heaters that add dry air to your space. You can buy all the salon-quality products in the world, but it will all be for nothing if your hair and skin aren’t being nourished. There’s only so much your stylist can do with topical products. Drinking water is the cheapest and simplest way to battle winter dehydration, so always start there. It will be way easier to manage your hair with products once your insides are right.

Winter Hydration Tip 2: Get Naked Our nail team loves the Naked Manicure Hydrate & Heal set by Oylie. Step one of this two-part set is a transformative hyaluronic acid serum, followed by the intense hydrating cream. It is a gamechanger for winter hands and the effects are nearly immediate. Last winter, the Naked Manicure sets by Oylie sold out in the salon as our clients started catching on to its powers. Says one of our team members:

“My mom put this on and her hands looked 10 years younger, immediately. They came back to life. She works in a school so she’s been washing her hands dozens of times every day.”

It’s also scent-free, so it makes a good option for everyone. Honestly, every Chicago salon should carry it as an act of public service!

Winter Hydration Tip 3: Invest in a Humidifier Take control of your air! Adding a little bit of moisture back into the air can do wonders for your hair and scalp. A humidifier can take your hair from brittle to bouncy and brighten up dull skin. Got dandruff? This may be a sign that a humidifier is right for you. The only bummer is we don’t sell any humidifiers at our Chicago salon, so you’ll have to find your own! This list might be a good place to start.

Winter Hydration Tip 4: Rescue Your Hair with the Moroccanoil Hydration Collection We offer Moroccanoil for several reasons, but their hydration collection is top of the list. It features special conditioning shampoo & conditioner, intense conditioning masks, styling cream, and more. The leave-in conditioner is a popular item with our clients, as well. Order online and we’ll throw in free delivery on all local orders. And as always,  curbside pickup at our storefront location!

We also offer these products during our hair services in the salon. If you’re coming in for a color service or even just a cut, we always recommend a deep conditioning, which is usually $20.00.

BONUS TIP: Deep Conditioning…for free
As we brainstormed these winter hydration tips as a team, we realized we needed to take this educational moment a step further. For the month of January, we are offering free conditioning treatments with ANY SERVICE. We want you to believe in what we’re saying about winter dryness and the power of hydration!  After all, trendy colors and cuts don’t look as good or last as long on limp, damaged strands.

All of us at Fringe are big on hair health before anything else. We also believe in these products, so why not show our awesome clients what’s up? We’re open every day, so schedule an appointment to claim your complementary deep condition experience. Book here before January appointments fill up!

Before we begin, let us confirm: self-care is a personal practice that goes way beyond beauty treatments and physical remedies. Ideally, self-care addresses all dimensions of your well-being, not just the physical. We won’t try to convince you that caring for yourself is measured by how young or gorgeous you look because that’s incorrect. We also acknowledge that self-care is one of the most co-opted ideas in recent marketing and social media, so much that it has become a common premise for predictable jokes. That doesn’t mean your well-being doesn’t deserve attention. And after almost 9 months of pandemic living, it probably could use a little more than you think.

Self-care is difficult to maintain because it usually requires two valuable things: time and resources. Not everyone can fit a 3-hour hair appointment into their schedules let alone afford it. We believe that self-care is an expensive beauty ritual but it doesn’t have to be so black and white. Instead of taking an all or nothing approach to haircare, consider that a little bit often goes a long way. Just because you can’t make it into the salon every 6 weeks doesn’t make you any less deserving. 

FRINGE’S RESPONSE: BRINGING SELF-CARE TO YOU

When Chicago initially shut down back in March, Fringe switched gears and began offering free same-day delivery to our Wicker Park and Bucktown neighbors. We didn’t want to lose our connection to our clients and we had plenty of products on the shelves. Why not literally “reach out” and drop off the things they need right now? Our theory is that a little self-maintenance goes a long way between appointments and we can help you get the things you need to do that. 

We recently began delivering the entire Kevin Murphy hair line, which is found in some of the top salons in the country. It was nice to save people the hassle of going out during stay-at-home orders while delivering better products than they’d find there anyway. Better haircare often means better hair health, which extends the life of your haircut in many cases. 

R+Co is famous for its texture sprays, dry shampoos, holding sprays, and other styling products that are especially helpful before Zoom calls. It’s tempting to skip the morning shower sometimes when you’re working from home, and with the right R+Co products it doesn’t really matter if you do! They also usually smell amazing, which is never going to make your day worse. We’ve been delivering this brand a lot, especially the Dreamhouse Watermelon Texture Spray. We also love the High Dive Moisture & Shine Creme, the perfect tool for combatting dry Chicago winter from root to tip!

For our regular facial clients, we delivered a lot of Glo Pro-5 Liquid Exfoliant. It’s a product we often use as a pre-facial treatment to exfoliate skin quickly with a unique blend of acids. We advised our clients to use Pro-5 when social distancing disallowed from giving our signature facials and it kept them feeling great during the long haul of lock down. The entire Glo product line is geared toward this type of need, which we will undoubtedly face again in the coming weeks.

It’s normal to lose a little steam during times like these. We’ve been presented with a long-haul challenge we never asked for. The important thing is having a plan to deal with your burnout, whether it be a spiritual practice or a physical reward. If we can each invest into a little self-care each day or each week, even the smallest morsel, we will be giving ourselves the tools to cope and succeed.  

As the unpredictable winter approaches, we are ready to help extend the life of your self-care. Take advantage of the local same-day delivery when you order any of our unique salon products. Until we see you at the salon or curbside pickup, may your ends be hydrated and your brows stay separated!