How to Wear a Blanket Scarf Without Making Us Want to Run for Cover

How to Wear a Blanket Scarf Without Making Us Want to Run for Cover

Oh, they’re so stylish. Large, comfy drapes of fabric. They’re all the rage and everyone’s wearing them. But, wait! WTF is a blanket scarf? And how do you wear one without looking like a picnic? Or the person who stole the picnic? We’ve got the answers to this hip new trend and how to wear a blanket scarf with style.

First off, behold this gorgeous cloak of beauty.

Oversized plaid blanket scarves like this one and more are available at our boutique in the heart of the Meadows Town Center in Castle Rock and online at Nixon & Co Boutique. They’re perfect for adding warmth and sophistication to any outfit. And they make ideal gifts for the cherished women in your life.

But to stop you or your loved one from throwing this scarf on a chair, on a bed (You did say blanket, right?) or in the back of a closet out of pure intimidation, here are points to keep in mind.

Wearing one is a cinch.

Not really. It takes grace and confidence to wear the blanket scarf with style – and not look like you’re burrowing into a snug sack to wait out a winter storm. The scarf should say “Crisp fall day at the park.” Not “Cold exhausting night on my couch.” But, rejoice: It’s easy to keep the look tailored with a belt.

This is nothing more than a drape and a cinch, pictured here. The scarf looks fashionable and fitted – and not overwhelming this hip girl like a picnic blanket. This look is so warm, it’s hot!

Keep it skinny

Know that wearing a baggy blanket scarf on top with your largest comfiest big-girl pants is not going to help your overall look. You’ll be drowning in fabric, and we’ll never find you.

The rule of thumb is: When you go loose on top, go skinny on the bottom. Pair your comfy blanket scarf with leggings or skinny jeans. Remember: You’re a woman, not an old car in the garage.

Think of your proportions

Also, consider the size of the scarf and the size of, well, you. Wearing a scarf that is too big for your frame will bury you in material. Wearing a scarf that is too small will take away from everything cool about the blanket. Not sure where you stand? We’re happy to help!

Go over, not around.

And here’s a big one. No matter how tempting it is to curl up in a new blanket scarf and settle in with your wine, keep in mind it’s not really a blanket. Do not wrap yourself up in it like you’re watching your kid play football.

Instead, drape it stylishly over your shoulders. The look is “Walk with me in the Autumn leaves.” Not “I’m smuggling vodka in my hot chocolate.” When you’re being this warm, be cool.

Tie it.

Finally, blanket scarves are in actuality just big scarves. That means there are a plethora of ways to tie them, a number of do’s and don’ts, and lots of hacks discovered by professional scarf wearers worldwide. We don’t have time to go into them all. It’s happy hour. But here are some here.

In conclusion, fear not this warm and comfy trend of abundant fabric. Embrace your blanket and wear it with confidence. We can help you do it right.

Summer, Socks, and Savings — Plus fight homelessness in Denver

Summer, Socks, and Savings — Plus fight homelessness in Denver

Join us in August to raise awareness about homelessness in Denver. Nixon & CO is teaming up with Facing Homelessness Denver to draw attention to the thousands of people in our community living without shelter and other basic needs.

Your sock donation will help fight homelessness in Denver through Facing Homelessness Denver.

You can show your support by bringing in a new pair of socks – any size, any style. With your donation, you’ll receive 25% off one boutique item of your choice**!

Socking it to homelessness

Facing Homelessness Denver raises awareness of homelessness by sharing photos and personal stories of those living on the streets. At the same time, they partner with local businesses to generate awareness and raise funds that go directly to support organizations that serve the homeless.

The call for socks is a national campaign to provide comfort, safety, and warmth to the homeless with every pair of clean and dry socks.

The face of awareness

The need to shine light on homelessness in Denver has never been more important.

The Colorado census shows there were 10,000 homeless people in Colorado at the end of last year – up 6% over the 2015 count. Colorado also experienced the largest increase in the number of homeless vets in 2016, up 231 from the year before.

Every pair can make a difference

With numbers so great, every donation and every ounce of awareness raised can help address this crisis. Please join the fight!

Bring in your socks to Nixon & CO between August 1 and August 31, 2017. Pairs must be new and clean, and in their original packaging. Then start shopping and take 25% off the item of your choice**.

See you soon!

** Offer constitutes one donation of one pair of new socks in their original packaging. Get 25% off each item purchased with each pair of socks donated (i.e., bring in one pair of socks, get 25% off one item, bring in three pairs of socks, get 25% off three items).

When the Wash Must Wait

When the Wash Must Wait

You’ve heard it everywhere – from your stylists, your friends, your trusted websites: Do not wash your hair every day. While that sounds easy, many people struggle with how to skip shampooing for one day, let alone two or three. How can you go the distance between washes? These tips can help!

First, get a good cut. Shampooing too much strips your hair of essential oils and promotes split ends and breakage. It also takes significant time, and increases the wear and tear on your precious locks. A good stylist can account for this by giving you a manageable, quality cut that doesn’t require daily washing and styling. When you’re in the chair, be honest with your stylist about how often you wash – or want to wash – your hair.

Invest in dry shampoo. This ingenious product comes in spray or powder form and is designed to soak up oil, boost volume, and make your hair smell clean. But all dry shampoos are not created equal. Some work miracles, while others can leave a sticky residue and make your hair feel greasy. Our favorites at Nixon & CO are Unwash, Seven, and Unite.

Bobby pins for how to skip shampooing

Bobby pins are your best friend!

Make friends with your bobby pins. Putting your hair up doesn’t have to mean elaborate up-dos and tutorials on YouTube. On the second or third (or fourth) days, pull up (or back) sections of your hair, twist, and pin. Bobby pins are flexible and forgiving, and they let you get creative without a lot of know-how or fuss: Just position your hair where you want it and let the bobby pins hold it in place.

Hide it with style. Wearing a hat to hide day-two or day-three hair is popular advice. But for more style, take it a step further by adding a side fishtail braid. Just as easy as a traditional braid, the fishtail creates a casual but classic look. (Here’s how to do it.)

Braids help with how to skip shampooing

Add a fishtail braid to your favorite hat

Just rinse and condition. Finally, if all this isn’t enough for you to put down the bottle, consider just skipping the shampoo. Wet your hair as usual, then add conditioner, and rinse. You’ll be left with refreshed tresses, but you won’t experience the drying, stripping effects of the suds.

Following these tips can have you looking great in no time, but it is important to still stay aware of your hair. As day two, day three, and day four give your locks plenty of rest from styling, make sure to watch for dry, flaky, itchy, or oily scalp, which can be a reaction to build-up of dirt or dry shampoo. Then, by all means, lather away and add a deep conditioner.

For more information on hair that can go the distance as long as you want, make an appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Red Over Heels in Love: How to Become a Ginger

Red Over Heels in Love: How to Become a Ginger

They say good girls go to heaven. But Redheads go wherever they damn well please.

With the mystery and excitement surrounding our fiery sisters, it’s tempting to want to see if a little red could get you ahead. But what exactly does going red look like, and what do you need to know about how to become a ginger?

First, how do you see red?

Red hair comes in all shades, so in going red, it’s important to know what kind of redhead you are. Which hue do you most identify with?

how to become a ginger
Confident and classy auburn like Debra Messing

how to become a ginger
Sexy and subtle strawberry blond like Nicole Kidman

how to become a ginger
Dark and mysterious brown copper like Emma Stone

how to become a ginger
Fun and festive light copper like Leslie Mann

how to become a ginger
Fierce and fiery fire engine-red like Rihanna

Now: What do you need to know?

If you’re looking for the technicalities of how to become a ginger, here’s what you should keep in mind:

  • Although we all feel feisty and fun, red hair is not for everyone. It is most flattering for people with cool or neutral tones in their complexion. If you have a lot of natural reds to your skin, adding red to your hair may be just too much.
  • Red requires regular maintenance. There is natural grow-out, which can be expected with any color. But red hair can also dull or lose pigment. A gloss treatment can bring back color without adding too many more hours in the chair.
  • Red hair is not for swimmers. If you plan to be in the pool all summer, pay special consideration to going red. Chlorine can strip color, and can break down already treated hair.
  • Take it cold. If you do go red, prepare to shampoo with cold water. It can add shine and uphold texture, while making the color last longer.

Finally: Make it happen.

If going red is for you, then go forth sexy lady!

At Nixon & CO all stylists are skilled in cut and color. They can evaluate your hair, current color, complexion, and lifestyle and help you decide on the right look and treatment process for you.

When you make an appointment, indicate that you’re looking for a color change so the appropriate amount of time can be allotted. Also, if you have a particular hue in mind, bring in photos. Everyone sees color differently, and a picture is worth a thousand words.

Finally, you budding ginger, we would look forward to seeing you. We know you can go wherever you damn well please, so we hope that place is here.

 

 

 

 

More Than a Hairstylist: 3 Reasons You Want a Hair Artist

“A man who works with his hands is a laborer;
a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman;
but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.”
St. Francis of Assisi

At Nixon & Company, we indeed work with our hands, our brains, and our hearts. It’s what sets us apart from other Castle Rock salons and hairstylists.

The distinction is similar to the difference between building a custom home, versus moving into an apartment. It’s a different environment, a different experience, and a different result.

In the hairstyling industry, artistry is what delivers more than a cookie-cutter cut and color that’s “not you,” but a style that is personal, beautiful, and designed for your hair and your personal “hair story.”

Here are three reasons, you want more than a hairstylist. You want a hair artist.

Committed to education
Hair artists explore their art and invest in their passion. At Nixon & Company, our artists attend regular conferences, seminars, and hair events to keep current and stay inspired. Several of us recently attended SEVEN Haircare’s “DEFINE: Master” event with stylist Tyson Daniel, where we focused on elevating our artistry, not only through the latest techniques, but through effective client consultations.

Trends change on a monthly basis, and as artists, we cannot just say, “We learned that 10 years ago,” and expect to deliver the same results today. We take every opportunity to explore our skills, challenge our minds, and master our craft.

Confident and creative
Hair artists are also empowered to be creative, and their ongoing education and investment in their careers gives them further confidence to pursue that creativity. Opportunities like the DEFINE: Master event inspire us. They teach us not to be afraid and to allow ourselves to grow.
We learn not to be limited by what we currently know and to think past our “go-to” cuts and styles. We bring that creativity and passion to our clients, who turn to us for our insights and skills.

Experience to Tell Your Story
Hair artists are also informed enough to ask the right questions of our clients. A lot of times people don’t know what they want. But as artists, we’re able to talk to them, tap into their behaviors and lifestyles, and learn their “hair story.”

We combine that input with our assessment of their hair and our knowledge of the latest options and techniques. We’re able to create a look that clients love and that they’re going to have the most success with. It’s a vital part of not only our artistry, but also our business.

Nixon & Co is a full-service salon and boutique, specializing in quality cuts and color and the latest trends in both hair and fashion. If you’re ready for a new look by someone who is more than a hairstylist – but a talented hair artist, make an appointment here.

Pretty in Pink? Or Blue or Yellow or Purple?

Pretty in Pink? Or Blue or Yellow or Purple?

5 Things to Know About the New Spring Hair Trends

By: Kelly Nixon

Spring is here and so are the spring colors. This year, the trend is pastels – not just in clothes but in hair. The use of all-over color or spot color in light pinks, blues, yellows, purples, and other pastels is in!

At Nixon & Co, we’re hearing clients of all ages requesting these colors as a way to welcome in spring after a long winter.

A lot of people get tired of their go-to colors of reds, browns, and blonds. They want a fresh look, and these colors are the hit of the season that will be around all summer.

Another thing people like about the trend is that it’s less of a commitment than a bold new hair cut. It can be a quick “something new” that doesn’t require months to grow back.

Spring hair trends – soft, beautiful color

The pastel look can be done in a variety of styles – here are just a few.

This is a soft pink highlighting technique, blending with the natural hair color.

19-light-lavender-layers

This is an ombre style using a light purple.

Green bob

Cute and fun – this is an all-over approach in a refreshing mint green.

Ready to add some color to your spring?

If you’re looking to try these spring hair trends, here are five things to keep in mind before you head to the salon.

  1. There is upkeep. Because the color fades and there is outgrowth that cannot be as easily blended as “natural” hair colors, the new hue can require touching up every four to six weeks.
  2. You may have to go darker to go back. The process of adding color can “strip” your hair. As a result, when you’re ready to return to your regular style and color, it may require going darker than usual to get the “old” color to take hold. The good news is that your darker, richer hair will be perfect for fall!
  3. Hair health first. It’s important to make sure your hair is healthy before you have it colored. Get a trim or cut, or schedule a deep conditioning treatment prior to your coloring appointment.
  4. Be prepared. Many of the pastel styles actually involve several shades and require a multi-step color process. As such, they can require more time at the salon than regular color appointments.
  5. Call ahead. If you want to go pink – or blue, or yellow, or green – at your next appointment, make sure to let the salon know ahead of time. Show them a picture you like, or talk to them about what you have in mind. Not every salon is going to carry every product, so they may need time to make sure they have your color in stock and ready to go.

Nixon & Co is a full-service salon and boutique, specializing in quality cuts and color and the latest trends in both hair and fashion. If you’re ready for a new look for spring or anytime, make an appointment here.