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vendor reviews: beauty: spas, hair & make-up
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Interviewing Vincenzo Pasqualino, Co-owner & Jennifer Shephard, Bridal Consultant at Chameleon Hair Studio & Spa
Chameleon Hair Studio & Spa comes to you with a celebrity client roster, two gorgeous locations in Kitchener and Waterloo, and a very real focus on services designed just for brides. Headed up by CEO and Master Stylist Frank Muia and his wife Elaine, Chameleon has built their reputation on top notch service and staff.
Each Chameleon studio has its own full hair salon and day spa that are designed to treat your hair and skin care needs, all within just about every bride's budget. Chameleon also comes equipped with a team of award-winning stylists, spa parties, an on-staff bridal consultant, complimentary continental breakfast for you and your entourage, and a refreshing post-honeymoon treatment for you and your new husband - Chameleon Hair Salon & Spa seems to have everything a bride and her bridal party could want...
Chameleon beginnings This year marks 14 years as a premier salon in Waterloo. Frank and Elaine had a passion to create a hair studio and spa that was affordable to a large base of clients. After the couple opened their first salon in Thunder Bay, their evolving vision led them to Toronto, and eventually to Kitchener where they created the Total Image salon. Believing in the happy marriage of salon and spa combined, the couple created Chameleon in Waterloo, which boasts over 20 employees and 7 aestheticians. The Kitchener location followed, with over 14 employees and 4 aestheticians. Chameleon now has a team of high quality aestheticians, massage therapists, make-up artists, colour technicians, hair stylists/artists and salon and spa coordinators. "Quality service exists because it is provided by seasoned professionals... Everyone at Chameleon is as conscientious as they are passionate about their careers... We aim to please," promises Elaine, who has always been a big part in designing the many elements of these two Hollywood-style salons.
A 'model' look Frank is considered an icon in Canada's hair industry and feels inspired by the young talent on his stylist team. Chameleon's clients have been known to turn heads. Rebecca Hardy, winner of Canada's Next Top Model had her hair styled by one of the Kitchener location's stylists, and stunning actress Jill Hennessy from television's Crossing Jordan had her hair styled by Frank himself. The Chameleon team is also known to attract high profile business leaders of Waterloo Region.
Wizards with their scissors, these stylists have individually won awards for top cuts, sales and training, with trips to Europe as part of their winnings. The Chameleon salon itself has won multiple awards including Canada's highly-respected Golden Curl Image Award.
Catering to brides Chameleon understands that this is a special time in your life. The salon has catered to bridal parties for over 10 years and offers an on-site bridal expert with a complimentary consultation. As a bride-to-be, you'll have the chance to discuss the value of preparing early for skin and hair care and get great ideas for private parties, gifts, honeymoon and of course, the main event, your wedding day.
Devon & Ben were married over a year ago and Devon is still raving about her bridal experience at Chameleon. "...The staff is all really young and hip... I knew they would do a great job of keeping the hair styles current and creative, and not all of my bridesmaids knew what they wanted. Everyone left happy. And the staff got really creative with some of my girl's hair, but it was all still very wedding appropriate... Our wedding wasn't very formal, and I didn't care what my bridesmaids wanted for hair [styles] and nail colours. I knew the staff at Chameleon would give them what they wanted."
As you and your bridesmaids are made over on the morning of your wedding, Chameleon staff serves up a complimentary continental breakfast – just one more thing you won't have to organize. As well, your entire bridal party can be styled in same day bookings if you like. The Chameleon spa has additional services that can be booked prior to the wedding day.
The hair experts Whether you're thinking of having a hair up do or a cascade of curls, Chameleon staff will do their best to give you a stunning style and modern appearance. The experts at Chameleon will focus exclusively on your needs. The salon attracts top stylists who are committed to ongoing training to create trendy and cutting edge styles. The salon is exclusive to the Davines Concept hair product line. Their staff even includes a mentor of Davine Concept products - Mark, a Master Colour Technician, and Vince, a Platform Artist who performs stage presentations in Canada, USA and Europe.
From head... Extra special wedding looks at Chameleon include extensions featuring Euro Locs and authentic hair (prices provided at consultation). To show off your gorgeous eyes, Chameleon offers lash extensions that will hold 3 to 4 weeks if cared for properly. Waterproof for wedding tears and honeymoon waves, these lashes have an all natural look. Well priced at $55 and applied in approximately 45 minutes, you'll be able to see your newly lashed eyes framed beautifully in your wedding shots.
...to toe Your face is not the only thing that gets noticed at your wedding. If you're planning to wear those sparkly, strappy sandals you just purchased, a little extra pampering for your feet could make a big difference. Chameleon offers French Gel toes for $25, or $65 when done with a pedicure. Chipped nails on your wedding day or honeymoon won't be a problem, they say. For those of you who are health conscious, consider getting a series of Ionic cleansing foot baths which draw toxins out of the body. This foot treatment will refresh your overall body and can keep you healthy for your wedding and honeymoon. Each session is $45, or $80 if paired with a pedicure. If you purchase 6 sessions, Chameleon will treat you to a bonus bath.
Unwind & renew The Chameleon spa is designed to feel like a peaceful sanctuary. They want you to let the pleasing aromas, soft music and dancing candles work their charm. Caring spa professionals are ready to offer relaxing therapies so that your body and soul will ease tension and aches. The Chameleon spa philosophy for personal wellness is "...once the body is relaxed, the mind will follow; creating inner peace, mental harmony, and emotional balance."
Chameleon's knowledgeable spa staff performs body therapies using Avancé products. This French line is made of seaweed, algae, clays and mud offering some of the world's highest mineral content. Experience an exfoliation with sea salts and essential oils, along with a body mask, followed with you being wrapped in a warm blanket. For more relaxation, they recommend a scalp massage with a hot Vichy shower treatment and full body application of silk hydrating lotion. Aahhh, now that's something any busy bride on the go can take refuge in...
Chameleon brides Sabrina, the salon's Senior Stylist, Master Colourist and Make-up Artist, was a member of The Ring three years ago while planning her wedding. She says she enjoys watching the whole process of brides getting ready. "Taking their stress away, making them glow, I would do anything to make them happy." Salon colleague Jennifer, a Nail Technician, Make-up Artist and Senior Aesthetician, also has fun focusing on brides and prepping them for their big day. "I want to make them look forward to the rest of their day. We develop a relationship with the bride and her entourage. I want to see pictures from the wedding, and we are sad to see them leave the salon, but just as excited for them too." The Aesthetics & Make-up department uses Avancé skin care products and top-of-the-line Eva Garden makeup applied for maximum impact, helping to ensure you look flawless in your wedding photos.
Booking your wedding & packages Saturdays are hopping at the salon with 2 to 3 weddings handled throughout the day. A big advantage of Chameleon is the double service - two salon locations that can be used for one wedding for larger sized bridal parties. The Waterloo salon can accommodate 10 to 12 guests and 6 to 8 guests at the Kitchener salon depending on what services are requested.
Typical charges are approximately $70 to $150 for the bride's hair & make-up, $60 (and up) for each bridesmaid, with mother of the bride or groom priced at $30 and up. Chameleon's on-staff bridal consultant will discuss the number in your party to receive services, the timeline to get everyone ready and price packages. Your consult visit, which is a great time to meet Chameleon staff, will run about half an hour. You're encouraged to invite your photographer to the salon to take shots of your hair and make-up preparations. The salon can accommodate an early start, opening before 8 am on Saturday if you need them to. At booking, you'll be asked for a $100 deposit for hair only, and $150 for hair with make-up services. The salon requires at least 6 months advanced notice. Rates listed in this review do not include applicable taxes and gratuities.
Our favourite things: Spa Parties at Chameleon Chameleon offers Thursday and Friday night bookings for Spa Parties. What this means to brides is that Chameleon will post their CLOSED sign to the public as you are invited in to enjoy the luxury of a private spa party with your wedding party in tow. You'll have the spa all to yourselves and on top of that, Chameleon can even provide catering throughout the evening.
detailsdetailsdetails • Jennifer recommends booking your wedding party pampering at least 6 months in advance, however welcomes all inquiries and will accommodate any short notice wedding parties if there is availability • For hair services only, a $100 deposit holds your date at booking • For hair and make-up, it's a $150 deposit to hold your wedding date • The remainder for your wedding prep is due the day of the wedding • One of our favourite things is that Chameleon will let you close down the spa to host a Spa Party of 6 or more anytime you'd like! Contact Jennifer for more details
Contacting either studio To book a consultation with Jennifer Shepard, or to make any inquiry, email info@chameleonspa.com and the staff will be happy to respond right away. Check out their website for more prices and service details at www.chameleonspa.com. To drop into Chameleon at their Waterloo location, visit 255 King Street North (unit 10), or call 519-746-7171 to book an appointment. Chameleon Hair Studio & Spa in Kitchener can be found at 325 Max Becker Drive and can be reached at 519-743-0009.
- The Staff at TheWeddingRing.ca * Prices are all approximate and are subject to change and verification by authorized staff and management of Chameleon Hair Studio & Spa. |
Chameleon
Hair Studio & Spa offers award-winning, Hollywood-style hair, skin and spa
services for local brides
