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With countless new treatments hitting the market, knowing which ones truly make you and your salon stand apart is more important than ever. amika gets this — that’s why they created the amika pro smooth over frizz-fighting treatment. With this service, there’s no denying that your salon offers something exclusive that will draw people in.
The Tease spoke with salon owner and amika brand educator Brooke Salazar to learn more about how the amika pro smooth over frizz-fighting treatment benefits her work and her salon. With 15 years of experience in the hair industry, not to mention being an amika educator, Brooke’s knowledge goes beyond. Stylists, this service can make a big difference to your clients and salon, read on for more.
The Tease: How did you begin marketing the amika pro smooth over frizz-fighting service in your salon and what were the effects of offering this service?
Brooke Salazar: I started marketing the pro smooth over service on social media by posting the product FAQ and asking for content models. Once I got content models, I used the before and after to show how effective the treatment was for my in-salon clients. The impact of this service has been game-changing, especially in haircutting. I feel a lot of clients in the salon shy away from a haircut due to frizz. This treatment just extended those limits and let them have more creative freedom with receiving those services.
What drew you to offer the amika pro smooth over frizz-fighting treatment in your salon?
Salazar: I was drawn to offer pro smooth over service because so many of my clients in our consultation would say I would love to do this to my hair, but my hair is too frizzy. I saw a huge use for my client with ease of styling.
How have the other stylists in your salon learned the treatment and introduced it to their clients?
Salazar: More than half of the other stylists in my salon have been certified with this service and love it just as much as I do. We have seen great success! Frizz was a universal challenge in my salon.
How have your clients responded to the treatment? What’s the most memorable client success story?
Salazar: My clients LOVE this service. The price point makes it more accessible for them. It’s not a budgeting issue. The fact that they can take what I do in the salon and mimic their style at home with ease has been game-changing. My most memorable client was a flight attendant who received this service. She was my original content model. She would come in for weekly blowouts and expressed how she struggled so much with the different climates on her trips. After this treatment, she texted me how much easier it was to style her own hair and didn’t have to just throw it back into a bun or a braid. She said her hair felt softer than ever.
How has being an amika educator impacted your career? What’s your favorite moment as an amika educator?
Salazar: Being an educator with amika is a literal dream. It had impacted my career for the better, not only just in improving my techniques but giving me a fresh view on this ever-evolving industry. In my first year I have had so many opportunities. I taught pro smooth over certifications at IBS Las Vegas, taught many classes at multiple salons, attended Camp amika, and working with the most talented hairdressers is just a few of my favorite moments. We are a family.
How do you address concerns from clients who are hesitant to try hair treatments because they’ve never done anything like this before?
Salazar: Consultation and trust. I always think of starting strong with consultation and asking questions. People love feedback and information about new products. I would explain that our system is certifiably clean and improves hair structure with glyoxylic acid (which acts like a hydrophobic barrier to protect hair) and water lily to build natural hair keratin.
How has the additional offerings of being certified, such as the salon locator and salon materials, benefited you and your salon?
Salazar: Salon swag is always amazing, which comes with the certification, but salon locator is huge because who doesn’t want clients to view the salon and call in!
What makes the pro smooth over frizz-fighting service unique compared to other professional frizz treatment options you’ve worked with in the past?
Salazar: amika pro smooth over frizz-fighting treatment is such an advanced technology. First stand out is the fume-free aspect. With past frizz treatments, you would have to wear glasses so your eyes didn’t burn. We actually had to stop offering one because one stylist couldn’t breathe well while it was being performed. Also, I love that it is a 6-7 week wear time. It gives a realistic return view and keeps the client on a regular schedule. Productivity-wise is incredible. Knowing that the curl isn’t going to be compromised is a huge standout. My wave/curly clientele do not have to worry about the integrity of their curl pattern.
How long does the treatment typically last for clients and what factors can influence its longevity?
Salazar: Typical wear time is 6-7 weeks.
Can you walk us through the application process for various hair types?
Salazar: There are two applications. (Which for me is amazing) For clientele who wear their hair curly or naturally, the application process utilizes a diffuser to activate the treatment. For clientele who blow out straight or flat iron mainly, we activate the treatment utilizing a blow dryer + flat iron at various temperatures depending on the density of hair.
We understand there are different instructions. Why is that?
Salazar: There are two applications for what style is mostly utilized at home.
How does the treatment work to address frizz specifically? Can you tell us more about the ingredients used in the treatments?
Salazar: pro smooth over’s power house ingredients are the main drivers to fight frizz. Glyoxylic acid works to restructure keratin in the hair cortex. Working a hydrophobic barrier to keep water out. Similar to a raincoat in a storm. Water lily extract is used for its keratin-building tannins to help smooth the cuticle. This allows the defrizzing aspect in hair. Seabuckthorn, our hero ingredient/ superfruit in our products, is loaded with vitamin C, A, and omega fatty acids. Salsphere helps extend smoothness and fight humidity. And aloe leaf juice gives moisture retention to hair to make it feel healthier than ever!
Are there any hair restrictions clients should be aware of when they pursue this treatment, such as avoiding heat styling, etc?
Salazar: Clients should wait two weeks before and after color service with the exception of same-day root touch-ups. After the service, clients need to wait at least 48 hours before getting their hair wet, including washing or excessive sweating. After the initial 48 hours, when clients wash their hair, they should be using only sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners, like amika products. Other than these restrictions, there is no wait time for styling hair, including the use of styling products, hair clips and hair ties.
How is this treatment formulated to ensure it does not weigh down various hair types?
Salazar: The treatment forms a polymer layer on the hair when heat and mechanical force are applied. This is part of the mechanism of smoothing. An umbrella-like film is formed to keep frizz and humidity out, in addition to the restructuring of keratin in the hair. The stylist should follow the use directions carefully regarding undersaturation/oversaturation to ensure the appropriate amount is applied for each hair type.
How does the treatment help to increase your revenue behind the chair?
Salazar: I think this treatment increases revenue in multiple aspects. Once your client realizes the ease of style, they don’t want to go without. How I have increased revenue is that when I prebook their haircut for 7 weeks, I am now prebooking pro smooth over with that service, so my income has now just gone up. Not only that but this treatment has become a conversation starter. From what I found, the referrals have been amazing. People love hair that they can manage and this gives them just that.
The amika pro smooth over frizz-fighting treatment isn’t just about taming frizz. It’s an opportunity to up your salon, all while giving clients effortless, long-lasting results. Visit https://loveamikapro.ca/pages/pro-smooth-over to learn more and become amika certified yourself!
