Beauty Unleashed - Boho Summer Style 2017

Beauty Unleashed – Summer Style 2017

Cathy Lavasani of Golden Touch Medispa

Cathy Lavasani
Beauty Unleashed
Founder of Golden Touch Medispa

Summer is about flaunting yourself in vibrant colours along with a style to complement your personality. This article takes a look at my impressions for what could be your own unique style for the 2017 summer season including Boho style clothing.

You’ve seen articles online pushing specific colours and styles for the summer, often at their own sense of style. That’s fine—there are legitimate influencers out there that do have a sense of style. But that’s all fine and dandy; what it’s lacking is a personal touch. And that’s what I’m here to do for you.

“Style is all about expressing your inner flair and not so much what the beauty industry or society tells you”

 There was an article on Yahoo! back in early May talking about suggested summer styles. I don’t have the link to the article at the moment however it said the summer of 2017 was full of Boho style clothing. When you think Boho you think of the Sixties’ era where flowy, peasant-style clothes like tunics with a ruffled linen fabric and shoulder-exposed motif populated the time. I do agree with this.

In these warm temperatures the last thing we need is to have tight clothes so as to prevent our bodies from breathing and essentially create a furnace of epic proportions. The more flowy the better if you ask me.

Before we get into my suggestions for summer style, it’s important to remember that style is all about expressing your inner flair and not so much what the beauty industry or society tells you. Finding find that special niche within you and expressing it accordingly is the optimal thing you should be achieving, fashion bloggers be damned.

One thing I’ve said I like is colour, bright, vibrant colour. I’m talking hot pinks and vivacious greens and soothing yet electric blues. And in some instances it’s okay to explore the mulled colours from decades past, particularly the creamy colours of the 70s. That said, let’s explore some styles I think are the best way to assemble your look for this season.

Tops and Blouses

I personally like bright colours. Some have said the metallic look is “in” at the moment, and I cannot fathom why. Summer is about bright colours, waking up from a sleepy slumber of dullness as exhibited in the winter months.

Boxy Woven Yellow Top at Forever 21

Boxy Woven Yellow Top from Forever 21

Forever 21 Boxy Woven Yellow Top

There’s a cute but nostalgic yellow top at Forever 21 that screams character. It’s dressy enough to be worn on its own or under a nice blazer for those important meetings without needing to sweat up a storm.

Speaking of Forever21, and who doesn’t wish they were forever the age of 21, there’s a cute satin top in a mauve colour that caught my eye.

Forever 21 Crinkled Satin Top

This crinkled satin top looks incredible and screams chic. The low-cut neckline satin blouse from Forever 21 creates enough of a sensual touch without breaking any barriers of decency.

Forever 21 Crinkled Satin Top

Forever 21 Crinkled Satin Top.

The crinkled satin means that it doesn’t require much in the way of ironing (although you probably should just to save embarrassment of unmistakable wrinkles) so it’s easy care for you.

Maison Simons Linen Tunic

Above I mentioned Boho style. What’s Boho without a long, flowing tunic? Tunics give space for the summer breeze to whisp its way through your body and provide relief from the warm air.

Maison Simons Linen Tunic

Chic Boho-like tunic to commemorate the warm summer weather.

Maison Simons in Square One in Mississauga has this cute linen tunic that goes with any sort of arrangement. Light, soft, and flowy, it goes well with a long skirt to amplify the look.

Pants/Leggings

The Boho look extends to that below the belt, and what better way than with colourful and/or loose pairs to complement you.

Old Navy Pixie Ankle Pant

I just love the colour of these pants.The red catches the eye as was the norm of style decades ago when the Boho style was a regular sight.

Old Navy Ankle Pants

Old Navy Angle Pants.

From Old Navy, there’s a cute rolled oat colour with a semi-shiny lustre so it would pair well with a shiny top, like a satiny tank or sleeveless blouse.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Tapestry-Print Pants

To relive the 60s you need to indulge in the style. In particular that means taking advantage of the loose pants that went along with it.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Tapestry Pants

BCBGMAXAZRIA Tapestry Pants. A great nod to the Boho style.

These awesome looking pants from BCBGMAXAZRIA are a perfect way to exemplify the Boho style while still staying modern. Plus the colour of these particular pants are incredible. I might go out and buy a pair myself.

Accessories

The Boho style dictates eccentric accessories to complete the ensemble. Hats and chokers are among my picks for amplifying a summer Boho style.

COLLECTION 18 Hat

A well-brimmed hat is an ideal way to block out the sun’s rays on your cute face while still remaining stylish.

COLLECTION 18 Hat

An adorable hat from COLLECTION 18.

This hat from COLLECTION 18, found Hudson’s Bay, is one of my favourite ways to give an added push to your already-excellent style. (Just don’t use it to hide the fabulous cut and style you got from Golden Touch too).

Maison Simons Leather and Lace Choker Set

And, lastly, chokers add a beautiful finishing touch, like the one I spotted at Maison Simons. A package of two, the leather and lace (brings back memories of the song by Don Henley and Stevie Nicks, doesn’t it?). Chokers give a sultry visage to your neckline, and really do wonders to improve the sexiness of any wardrobe it’s a part of.

For your hair, I can definitely lend a hand, especially if you want your ‘do to do more for you.

Remember, at the end of the day (I hate that expression but it’s so relevant right now) we have to be comfortable with who we are. Your style is ultimately unique, and that should be the number one factor when considering how you want to compile your look for the season and beyond.

It’s all about exemplifying you, your character, and your own unique style and grace. That means embracing our own style and even going so far as to add bits and pieces from external sources be it beauty influencers, seasonal trends or other fads that so happen to be the thing at the moment. That’s okay. But it’s when you base your entire appearance on what others are saying you should be wearing/doing that it gets dangerous and you lose sight of who you are.

It’s my goal to help you find your beautiful, regardless of what others think. If you want a compassionate, judgement-free approach to your style, then I am the woman to talk to.

With love,

 

Cathy

With contributions from Sean Mitchell

***DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with any of the above retailers. The links to the corresponding product pages are there for your leisure and convenience and in no way do I profit from you purchasing from them.***

Be Red Carpet Ready for TIFF




The stars are in town.

Why not make it so that people think you’re the star of a film debut?

It’s that time of year again that gets people excited to see September. No, not the start of school, but rather the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

The Toronto International Film Festival is now among the top film festivals in the world where would-be and established filmmakers show their films in hopes of snagging awards in the following year.

Toronto and its citizens are in the international spotlight, so it’s crucial for us to be in our best for the world to see. So why not make something of it, even if you are not submitting a film? And if you are, then all the more reason to celebrate and feel good about yourself!

If you want to feel like you’re one of the stars launching a film, stop by Golden Touch Medispa, located in Yorkville, the heart of one of the main TIFF viewing venues.

Here we can show you true vaudeville magic by giving you a special consultation by our resident expert, Cathy. Then, with caring craftwork, we can give you:

– Exquisite hair design and style;
– Vibrant hair colours that will make the paparazzi want you
– Luscious tints that give your eyes prowess
– Deep and vivacious make-up to melt hearts with sass.

When you’ve experienced Golden Touch, you’ll be ready to rock the red carpet like you own it. People will wonder who you are and won’t stop thinking about you.

We make it our goal to show you how to feel and look your best with all-natural products and unique techniques. The amount of confidence you’ll exude will make everyone envious and you always feeling comfortable in your own skin.

So give it a shot. It’s show time.

Beauty Unleashed – Show Your True Colours




In light of this past weekend’s Pride event, this week’s Beauty Unleashed is about showing your true colours.

When you’re a hair designer you see a lot of different hair styles, colours and textures. I’ve seen lush and long hair; people wearing their hair in whimsical styles; highlights that didn’t do the hair-wearer any justice; and I’ve seen hair so damaged from incorrect chemical treatments or so much spray and gel that It’s surprising it hasn’t broken off.

In this industry, you see a lot of people whose styles, colours and textures don’t really fit people as well as it ought to. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Everyone has a unique shade. Be willing and proud to show yours.

Everyone has a unique shade. Be willing and proud to show yours.

Each of us is born with hair in a particular shade, and as we get older it tends to change based on several factors. For instance, my business advisor, Sean (author Beyond Beauty here on goldentouchmedispa.com), said that when he was born his hair was completely blonde, full of these bouncy curls that seemed to have a live of their own. But now it’s a dark brown with greying spots. (For the record, I love Sean’s curls. They’re the type that us women would die to have and for him it’s completely natural. How fair is that?)

My job as a hair designer is to help you bring out your true colours via your hair. Like I mentioned above, we are born with a specific colour that we may or may not like. And that’s fine, but it doesn’t mean we should completely do without our natural colours just to spite ourselves or to feel socially accepted. Our hair means something, so let’s make the most of it.

I recall this one lady who came to see me with a severely botched highlighting job she had done at another salon somewhere in Toronto. And I mean botched; the colours weren’t evenly applied,  the shade was awful and to make matters worse, the cut she had done didn’t do her any justice at all, an insult to anyone with any amount of dignity.

I was aghast, imploring her to say she didn’t pay for this monstrosity. Unfortunately she did.  She was appreciative of the fact that I was willing to help rectify her situation.

Given the state of her uneven hair, I had to cut it shorter to achieve an even appearance. This could not be avoided, however it was relatively unnoticeable as even she remarked the shorter locks looked better on her, more than she imagined. I corrected the colours to make it more conducive to what she originally intended. I worked magic on her.

Luckily, she left with a more even—though shorter—cut and highlights in a proper colour that complemented her face and figure. She looked ravishing, her true colours shown forth.

We’re born with our natural colour, so why do some people attempt to completely erase any trace of its existence? There are people who would DIE to have your hair.

Ok, sure, some colours that we’re born with don’t do us any favours, and though it doesn’t mean we have to live with it, we shouldn’t be completely unforgiving to it either. There are ways to amplify the look of your natural colour that complement rather than conceal.

My salon is in Yorkville; there are a LOT of other salons in the area. But I’m quite sure that it’s my special caring touch that encourages people to come see me over the others. I personally like to help people discover and bring their true inner beauty to fruition.

That’s why I named my practice Golden Touch.

How will you let your true colours shine?




Beauty Unleashed – Unleash Your Inner God(dess)




Unleash your inner god(dess)

Cathy of Golden Touch Medispa

Cathy is owner and head hair designer and aesthetician at Golden Touch Medispa

Do you ever wish you could be as gorgeous as those celebrities in Hollywood, mimic the look and style of those on the catwalk? Or you dream of being able to get more than a quick glance when out on the town. Or maybe you’re simply looking for a few tips or a quick touch-up so you can be a knockout at your friend’s wedding.

Whatever your reason or purpose, Golden Touch can make all of your beauty dreams come true. Want to know a secret? It’s really quite simple to achieve.

Beauty is a unique thing that has existed since the beginning of human civilization. Wars have been fought over it. Lives have been forever changed upon its discovery and fulfillment. People have gone to great lengths to get it, often times being overwhelmed by it and unable to handle its power, succumbing to the weight of irresponsibility it brings. People spend obscene amounts of money to look beautiful, whether it’s through Botox, plastic surgery or intense make-up all in their pursuit to awaken their confidence and experience the sensation of being desired and appreciated. Such a heated pursuit with incredible rewards obtained from such an endeavour; but, at what cost?

While it’s perfectly acceptable for people to do whatever it takes to look and feel beautiful, what if I told you that the perfect beauty arrangement lies within you right now as you read this?

Shocking, isn’t it?

I started Golden Touch years ago because I felt that there just isn’t enough effort being done by people to find their inner beauty, who then use—or misuse—cosmetic procedures that just don’t fit and whose affects aren’t noticeable until we age and they no longer suit us.

You see this a lot in Hollywood; celebrities loading up on plastic surgery to the point where they are barely recognizable, and when they reach an age milestone their faces resemble the look of a trapped soul frozen in time screaming for help. That’s not an ideal manner to conduct oneself especially if these individuals are, for all intents and purposes, role models to the millions of youth—and some adults—around the world.

We need more efforts to create awareness and support for natural beauty without going to incredulous lengths to get it.

That’s where I am confident I can lend a hand.

At Golden Touch I, and my business partner Sean (who also has a blog on this site, called “Beyond Beauty”), we’re here to make achieving and realizing your beauty goals with advice and services that best work for you. They are:

  • Hair design
  • Aesthetics
  • Laser hair removal (LightSheer)
  • Laser liposuction (non-invasive) – VersaSlim
  • Laser liposuction (non-invasive) – Nlazer
  • Massages
  • Facials
  • Microdermabrasion
  • Peels
  • Beauty products
  • And more!

We all yearn to feel and be beautiful one way or another. You know deep down inside there’s a beauty queen (or king!) waiting to come out and be alive. If you give me a few minutes of your time, I’ll make it come to fruition. Your friends, family and colleagues won’t recognize you once the truly confident you is revealed and walks around like a fine peacock in all its glamour.

Clients might want to make a special connection outside of business too.

Whichever way you look at it, beauty is a factor of human existence and denying it won’t make it any better. Let me delve deep to bring your beauty desires to surface and make them a reality.

My environments are clean, ambient, and completely free from judgement. I welcome you with open arms.

And, if you are still unsure of whether to begin this epic journey into newfound inner beauty, I, as well as Sean, will post flavourful and insightful articles highlighting my own journey and our perspectives offer tips to help stoke your interest and confidence.

Be catwalk ready.

***Cathy is owner of Golden Touch Medispa with a rich history and intriguing stories to tell. Join her each week as she shares these tales and inspiring insight and practical tips to enhance your own beauty naturally. You’ll fall in love with her unique character and, ultimately, yourself.