In Canada, a salon was either a beauty salon or the intellectual and literary salons. Today, let’s discuss the former; beauty salons. Beauty salons in Canada, really got its start in 1888, when Ontario-born, Canadian entrepreneur Martha Matilda Harper invented the commercial meaning of the word salon and the modern retail beauty salon, transforming hairContinue reading “The Invention of the Modern Beauty Salon”
Tag Archives: hair
Beauty Salon Culture in Canada
Beauty salon culture in Canada developed along a unique path shaped by immigration, women’s labour and the country’s blend of French, British, and North American influences. By the early 20th century, salons were more than places to style hair, they became community hubs, women’s workplaces, and spaces of social mobility. Early RootsBefore commercial salons existed,Continue reading “Beauty Salon Culture in Canada”
How 1940s Women Created Iconic Victory Rolls Hairstyle
During the 1940s, a handful of fashion and beauty moments defined the decade and the Victory Roll was one of its brightest symbols. More than a hairstyle, it became a cultural emblem; a blend of resilience, glamour and wartime ingenuity. But behind every perfect roll was a secret. That secret was heat not from curling irons orContinue reading “How 1940s Women Created Iconic Victory Rolls Hairstyle”
Cornstarch as Dry Shampoo: Women Used During WWII
During the Second World War, beauty routines were shaped by rationing, resourcefulness and a determination to maintain a sense of normalcy. Shampoo ingredients were diverted to the war effort, hot water wasn’t always guaranteed and hairstyles were designed to last for days as opposed to hours. Victory rolls, pin curls and sculpted waves needed stayingContinue reading “Cornstarch as Dry Shampoo: Women Used During WWII”
Lauren Bacall’s Powder‑Perfect Hair on Set From Hair Stylists at Warner Bros., 1940s (Pre-dates Dry Shampoo)
Few actresses embodied 1940s glamour the way Lauren Bacall did, the heavy‑lidded gaze, the sculpted S‑waves, the cool, effortless poise that became her signature. But behind the scenes, her hair was anything but effortless. Bacall’s brushed‑out waves were meticulously crafted with pin curls, setting lotion and careful brushing, then lacquered into place so they wouldContinue reading “Lauren Bacall’s Powder‑Perfect Hair on Set From Hair Stylists at Warner Bros., 1940s (Pre-dates Dry Shampoo)”
The “Spit Curl” 1930s Trend
The delicate little curl that defined 1930s femininity. The “spit curl” was one of the most charming — and surprisingly practical — beauty trends of the 1930s. Born from Hollywood glamour and Depression‑era, it became a signature detail for women who wanted a touch of softness around the face without expensive salon styling. What ExactlyContinue reading “The “Spit Curl” 1930s Trend”
