Classic cuts and natural coiffes — those are local chair requests for the new year new hairdo.
This doesn’t mean that bold colours and funky styles are on the ground, according to local hair stylists at salons and barbershops. But in Squamish, customers’ needs align with practical deeds — meaning people desire function as much as fashion.
“I think the new year sparks a new change to people — period,” says Laura Motyka, owner of Concrete Blonde Studio.
Colour shifts tend to happen seasonally around summer or fall, while the new year is an opportunity to make structural changes like chopping length or adding bangs, she says. What she’s seeing so far is the popularity of the long-bob continuing, though more blunt with less texture. She is noticing gentle colour changes to accompany the 2018 fresh start. “If their hair is darker, they’re getting purple undertones or pastel hues if they’re blonde,” she explains.
More structure applies to men as well. Beards aren’t a fad, but this year they’ll be more groomed. “The wild, burly beard is making its way out,” Motyka notes, with more people caring for their beards using oils and balms.
“Men are becoming more aware of themselves as an entirety,” she continues, adding last year the salon had more male clients booked for manicures and pedicures or coming in between cuts than ever before.
Sarah Rommens, the owner of Dew Hair Studio, says beards are certainly going to be more polished this year though she says cuts are staying similar — shorter on the sides and longer on the top.
Rommens says Squamish women like the natural look. They’re enhancing their hair through a process called balayage, which uses colour to create subtle dimension. Some are seeking texture through defined piecey looks. A few are testing bold fashion hues like reds, blues or purples which she says “are big right now.”
It comes down to lifestyle and personal preferences. Some people don’t want to blow dry and some need their hair in a ponytail daily. “If you’re biking and rock climbing you want to put your hair up, so cuts have to be adaptable to what you do,” she explains.
Though none of the businesses The Chief contacted cater specifically to ethnic or curly hair, Rommens is confident in her ability to meet those specific needs. “Each person has a different texture of hair no matter whether it’s curly or straight,” she says.
Even two people with straight hair can have varying density, says Leah Davies, stylist, and assistant to the owner at Beehive Hair Salon. That includes curly or thick hair, where cutting shape becomes more essential.
“We have a lot more natural ladies in Squamish,” she adds. “Shorter hair is coming back. We’ve seen a lot of pixie cuts and shorter bobs. People are moving them up a bit.” Her clients have an easygoing attitude toward hair and beauty and she attributes that to Squamish residents being “a lot more comfortable in our skin.”
That is the experience that Emily Jarman, owner of Emily’s Hair Designs, hopes to cultivate with every person that walks through her doors.
Cutting curly hair requires truly understanding the art form and textures, Jarman says, adding it’s her best-discovered skills after years of hairdressing. Personal testimonies are shared on her website: Many of whom have curly hair, she adds. Warmer tones, shorter cuts, balayage and longer bobs are fashionable this year, but Jarman says, “If you’re not confident walking in your own skin it doesn’t mean anything.”
“Fads, fashions and trends disappear and are easily forgotten. Having confidence and carrying that with grace, that’s memorable,” she explains. “If I can help them find that, it’s more trend than you can imagine.”
One local barber says he is also concerned more with his customer’s experience, comfort, and condition of their skin than the latest fashion.
Anthony Bortolotto is the owner of Chicago Hair Gallery and has been a barber in Squamish for over 50 years, specializing in classic cuts and traditional shaves lasting around 45 minutes.
“I’m a simple old school barber,” he says. “For me, I like to do real classical haircuts from the 20s and 30s like Clark Gable or Humphrey Bogart.”
“I still see the odd guy with dreadlocks or long hair,” he explains, adding it’s less frequent and not what fashion currently dictates.
Classically-trained, Bortolotto says styles don’t change much over the years, but he is noticing a move back to beards with a proper trim and haircuts with a tighter shave along the side.
Men tend to want the same style because it’s functional, says Marilyn Brisson, owner of Voila Mobile Barber Shop. Brisson travels in her truck doing home visits and sees both men and young boys. Her business is just turning a year old, surviving strictly by word of mouth. Brisson says the traditional cut, which is shorter on the sides slightly longer on the top, is most popular with her professional clientele.
“Guys don’t necessarily want to spend 20 minutes fixing their hair,” she says. “It’s mostly wake up and go.”
That changes drastically when it comes to younger boys who often ask for more snappy, modern and trendy dos, Brisson says, attributing it to the larger soccer community in Squamish and the culture surrounding the sport.
“Global soccer players have lots of creative styles, with shaved lines and sometimes blasts of colour,” she explains. “Often, the kids that play soccer will ask for those style of cuts.”
No matter what the look — fashion forward or purely functional — there’s definitely a Squamish hair expert to help.
