The Spa at French Pharmacie

Indianapolis Star: A BLOWOUT PARTY!

Todd Shrider — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:17:25 +0000

We love our blow out parties, and so does Amanda Kingsbury of the Indianapolis Star!

“So we started back at step one: Shrider put a couple drops of Davines Oi Oil in my wet hair to smooth and add shine. Next, he ran a wide-tooth comb through it. (Less likely to damage or tear elastic hair than a brush or fine comb.) Then, he showed me how to aim his Babyliss Pro Volare V2 hair dryer while paddle-brushing my bangs and surrounding fringe in unfamiliar directions.” -> read more

If you like host a blow-out party at French Pharmacie, 823 E. Westfield Blvd., call (317) 251-9182.

Blow-out parties are offered compliments of the salon as a way to treat new guests and introduce our stylists. Wine and light appetizers are served. A blow-dry clinic is also offered during regular business hours, but requires a $50 “reservation” fee. The fee can be applied to product purchases.

Holiday Stress Relief

msheets — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:54:04 +0000

The holidays may be “the most wonderful time of the year”, but along with the hustle and bustle and cheer stress can rear its ugly little head. Between the shopping, the decorating, hosting, gift wrapping, and holiday party attending you may find yourself a little tired and achy, and feeling more like Scrooge than Santa. The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and gatherings with loved ones but stress can detract from these experiences. Increased stress and anxiety can manifest itself in the body in a variety of ways but the most common is through muscular tension.

While sometimes you may be tempted to use the stress reduction method below, we don’t really recommend it, and we’ve a far more effective and less painful strategy for you.

One alternative to Stress Reduction

Just give us a call and book yourself a massage. Don’t have an hour? No problem. In half an hour we can melt the tension right out of your back and shoulders. Don’t believe me? Okay, okay, here’s why you should come in.

Massage is a great way to help relieve tension and can give your body the restorative time that it needs to melt away muscular aches and pains and bring you back to a state of feeling relaxed, centered, and ready for the next party. Modern medicine now recognizes that massage has measurable effects on the physical, emotional, and mental bodies. Massage is much more than a luxury, it is a non-toxic and mostly non-addictive way of allowing your body to rejuvenate and heal itself while in a relaxed state.

Swedish massage has been shown to provide the following benefits:

Pain Relief – Massage stimulates the body to release endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers) which helps alleviate soreness, aches, and pains in the body.

Increased circulation - The gliding and kneading strokes of Swedish massage help to increase blood and lymph flow throughout the body which in turn helps the body to process and filter toxins. Massage causes the body to enter a relaxed state and can activate the parasympathetic nervous system which can cause the heart rate and blood pressure to lower. The increased circulation of fluids also assists the body in receiving more oxygen throughout the body as blood is circulated.

Immune boosting – Some studies indicate that after receiving a Swedish massage the body has an increase in cells that help defend the body against harmful substances like the cold virus or bacteria.

Reduce stress and tension – After receiving massage it has also been noted that recipients had a decrease in the stress hormone cortisol. Through relaxing music, warm blankets, relaxing massage strokes and aromatherapy the mind is able to shut off for a moment leading to peace and serenity.

Lessen anxiety and depression - Massage has been known to increase the levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in the body which can create a euphoric sense of happiness.

During this time of giving make sure you give yourself the things that you need to stay happy, healthy, and well. Get a massage, take a nice hot Epsom salt bath, attend a yoga class, go for a nice long walk - whatever it is that you need to do to be relaxed, do it. If you don’t take care of yourself then you won’t be able to enjoy the season and it “‘tis the season to be jolly”!

besoin d’aide (help wanted)

Todd Shrider — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:37:32 +0000

The French Pharmacie, one of the hottest Broad Ripple hair-spots, is a salon (and spa) where artistry meets wear-ability. This open space has a modern, eclectic and warm atmosphere – a place where a genuine smile invites you to ‘let your hair down’ and relax.

While the guests are always welcome to cozy up to the color lab and watch their artist mix a custom color formula, they can also take advantage of the acrylic free nail services, wellness based esthetics and ritual based therapeutic massage – or just hang out and enjoy the complimentary WiFi and amazing atmosphere.

“My goal was to create a space that was comfortable, cool, modern… yet also welcoming. When people ask me what we specialize in… I always say everything we offer. My mentors taught me to learn everything I can – never to limit myself. My philosophy is that what you do suits you… and that you love it. My team shares this belief and the are committed to being the best in their craft… and they are!”

- French Pharmacie owner, Philip Salmon

Whatever life-journey your on, French Pharmacie is meant to be your occasional sanctuary along the way.

We are currently seeking the following positions:

Experienced Hair Stylist

Hair stylists with significant previous experience providing both color and hairstyling services. The successful candidate will need to be artistic, business minded, motivated, enthusiastic, reliable and have outstanding customer care skills.

At French Pharmacie, we are committed to training and developing our employees with full in-salon training as well as further advanced education. Opportunities also exist to educate or be part of the artistic team and work with our partners on various photo shoots, creative, and high profile events around Indianapolis as well as nationally.

Please forward your resume to spafrenchpharmacie@gmail.com.

Is Oily Hair an Issue?

Todd Shrider — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:35:01 +0000

We pay a lot of attention to the face. If your a woman, it’s this cream or that lotion – a specific foundation or the perfect concealer. On the flip slide for men we have our favorite face wash or a particular shaving cream we tend to use. In the same way we pay attention to our skin, we need to care for our hair, and over the years we’ve probably become set in out ways.

So what do you do when oily hair strikes? There is a lot of info out there, but what works and what is myth? There are various steps that you need to follow to keep oily hair at bay and maintain a healthy sheen to your hair.

Myth: To get rid of the excessive oily hair you can massage you hair with a mixture of white vinegar and water.

Truth: Vinegar is actually a mild bleach, not only will this strip color from your hair, but it will also strip important essential oils from the hair, leaving it overly dry and vulnerable. Vinegar can also irritate the scalp and actually cause it to produce more oil.

Myth: Shampooing you hair everyday will lessen the secretion of oil on your scalp.

Truth: You should only shampoo every day if you have short or fine hair and produce too much oil in a day for you hair to support. Shampooing too often is hard on your scalp as it may lead to dryness thus causing hair damage and the increased production of oil.

Myth: Do not use hair products like gels, sprays, creams and mousses. They make the hair oily and create excessive build up on the hair.

Truth: A good hair product used in the right proportions will give you style for the day a dissipate in the evening, allowing you to restyle your hair the next day without excessive build up. Use your hair stylist as a tool in choosing the appropriate products for you hair type.

Myth: Limit the use of conditioner on your hair if you have oily hair. Conditioners are best suited for dry hair.

Conditioner is an important part of your daily routines, especially with medium length to long hair, however, all conditioners are not created equally. Good conditioners revitalize the hair without leaving buildup or coating the hair shaft. The important thing to remember is to thoroughly rinse the hair after conditioning – this takes away the conditioning medium, leaving behind only the good stuff.

A couple tips:

Depending on your hair type and length you may need to wash daily, every other day or even every three days. Your hairstylist can help you figure out how often, and which products best support your methods.
When changing your shampoo routine, give your scalp some time to adjust as well. Within a week it will react to your new routines, adjust the need to replenish your your hair.
Dry shampoos between washing are a great tool for adjusting to your new schedule. Spray a little on your hairline in the morning, making sure to hold the can six to eight inches from your head. Afterwards, if needed, use your hair dryer to blow out the powdery residue.
Diet also plays a major role in treating oily hair. If you tend to eat excessive amount of oily foods, the level of oil secretion in your scalp is likely to increase. So it is better you stick to fresh fruits and vegetables to give you scalp the necessary nourishment.

Have a question, story or comment about this topic or another? Leave a comment! Some of my best ideas for future articles come from reading reader comments. I’d love to hear from you!

Hair Color for Expecting Mothers

Todd Shrider — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:01:03 +0000

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and as they always say, you should consult your doctor first. I can only report my own experiences and the information that I have researched and cannot begin to know about all of the possible medical conditions that others may or may not have. How you choose to apply any information on this site to your own health is always your choice and based on your best judgment.

(Note: This is a reprint of an article I wrote when I found out my sister was expecting. -Todd)

Is it Safe for Pregnant Women to Color Their Hair?

Recently I found out I’m going to be an uncle for the first time. Of course, my sister – who defines the Type A personality, was concerned about how coloring her hair might effect her pregnancy. After speaking to several doctors and doing a little research of my own, I’d like to share this information with any mothers to be that may share the same concern.

As with almost any medical advice doctor’s tend to differ in their opinions based on their own experience and education. Limited evidence compiled by the Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS), which provides information on potential reproductive risks, suggests studies are reassuring and that there are no known reports of hair color causing changes in human pregnancies. Also, OTIS states very few chemicals used in hair color can actually be absorbed into your system.

That being said, many doctors I have spoken with suggest that during the first trimester, when your baby is most vulnerable, that the mother should avoid letting color contact the skin and instead should choose alternate services such as highlights, low lights, or balayage. Any chemicals that could possibly be absorbed will only be absorbed through the skin, not the hair shaft, making these services safer alternatives to applying color to the scalp.

After the first trimester, the placenta has developed further defenses to help protect the fetus from any side effects of chemicals found in hair color.

Another alternative often suggested is the use of vegetable or henna based colors.

Please take my professional opinion and avoid these options. I’ve looked at many of these products at a local health food store and in addition to the natural pigments listed, they also contain the same synthetic chemical compounds found in professional color products. In fact these chemicals often are found in larger quantities due to the larger molecular sizes of natural pigments and the difficulty of getting them to bond to and penetrate the hair shaft. These products also tend to be very messy to use, need to be left in contact with the skin for longer durations, and impart a red-orange hue that is next to impossible to remove from the hair.

In closing, one doctor I spoke with brought up a very good point. Many women feel better after coloring their hair – if such a service makes you feel good and causes you to worry less during the nines months of your pregnancy, then that is as important to the health of your child.

If you are an expecting parent and you have any further concerns, please speak to your doctor or feel free to contact me at the French Pharmacie (317-251-8192).

Mat Pilates, Every Wednesday at 8pm!

Todd Shrider — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:24:05 +0000

Who:

This class is designed just for you and taught by our friend, Lindsey Nierman. She’s certified in Master Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates and is an amazing instructor!

What:

Mat Pilates principles include control, fluid movement, breathing, concentration, stability and postural alignment. Joseph Pilates was also ahead of his time in his teachings about the “powerhouse,” which we now call “core muscles.” He believed that every exercise required core engagement, which is activated by proper breathing. Pilates instructors advise students to exhale during the flexing movements phase of the exercise. Exhalation causes the deep core muscles to press against the diaphragm to expel the air, causing a deeper core contraction

When:

We hold the class every Wednesday at 8pm, it lasts about an hour. The cost is $15.00 and you must call the salon to reserve your spot as space is limited. (317-251-9182)

Where:

French Pharmacie
823 East Westfield Boulevard,
Indianapolis, IN 46220

Long Hair, the Natural Method

Todd Shrider — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 12:30:55 +0000

It really doesn’t matter what season, fashion or decade long hair is a trend that will never go away. Weather worn strait, wavy or curly; lovely locks worn past the shoulder is a desire of many women (and dare I say a few men), but how do you achieve and still project the image a healthy head of hair?

The Natural Method

Hair needs nourishment, plain and simple. In fact, as you have probably noticed, healthy people have healthy hair. If you have time on your side there is a tried and true method to growing your own hair in a healthy fashion, here are the steps:

Make sure your diet contains at least the daily allotment of folic acid (400μg per day). Folic acid helps avert hair thinning and can be found naturally in spinach, asparagus, turnip greens, beans, peas, lentils, egg yolks and sunflower seeds.
Vitamin A (900-3000μg per day) helps promote a healthy scalp, and without a healthy scalp you’ll never have healthy hair and growth and growth patterns can be hindered. Great sources of Vitamin A include carrots, broccoli, sweat potato, kale, spinach and pumpkin.
Biotin (300 μg per day), a Vitamin B complex, is key to preventing hair loss. There are few particularly rich sources of Biotin, so a daily supplement is recommended.
Vitamin C (60mg per day) promotes healthy keratin production, which is they key protein our bodies use to produce hair. Great natural sources include papaya, strawberry, orange, kale and lemon.

Now that we have our healthy hair diet out of the way, we need to focus on our routine:

Use a good shampoo, preferably with little or no disulphide’s.
Use a conditioner that is appropriate for your hair needs, this may change over time.
Get regular haircuts, at least every eight weeks, this prevents your ends from splitting.
If you color, choose a more gentle route, and make sure your hairstylist has your hair growth goals in mind.

With a little aid by our diet and a few simple steps, long healthy hair is only a few months away!

Get a New Profile Picture!

Todd Shrider — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:13:37 +0000

Davines/Essential Haircare VOLU

Todd Shrider — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:24:42 +0000

A VOLUme explosion for limp hair. Davines presents VOLU, the new Davines/ Essential Haircare family dedicated to hair lacking in volume leaving it fluffy, light, bright and hydrated.

The nickname VOLU is the abbreviation for “VOLUME” chosen to make instantly recognizable the line’s feature which consists of giving extra volume at all stages of treatment – from cleansing to styling – relying on the exclusive active principles contained in natural origin ingredients in innovative combinations.

From the successful combination of scientific evolution, artisan wisdom and passion for natural resources, 3 synergetic products were born: shampoo, conditioner and leave-in spray, for the daily care and profound beauty of the hair.

VOLU/SHAMPOO Volume Enhancing Softening Shampoo

Gentle cleansing fluid that makes hair softer and fuller, shiny and hydrated.

Containing hop extract, it has a stimulating and revitalising action on the hair scalp therefore enhancing the volume on the roots. It also helps to untangle hair with great lightness.

VOLU/CONDITIONER Volume Enhancing Softening Conditioner

Conditioning gel with an innovative fluid and light texture. It makes the hair shiny, moisturised and visibly richer in volume and softness. Formulated withhazelnut extract, with a strong invigorating effect and antioxidant power, it simultaneously gives softness, shine and volume to the hair revitalising it with new strength.

VOLU/Mist Volume Boosting Moisturising Mist

Leave-in specific spray to give extra volume to the hair starting from the roots, leaving it moisturised and restored. Comb through to lengths and ends to add long-lasting body to the hair.

VOLU features all the characteristics of sustainability of the Davines / Essential Haircare line: purity of the ingredients, choice of a packaging in low-impact light and transparent plastic, exclusive use of renewable energy and participation in the Lifegate Zero Impact project to offset the CO₂emissions.

A Love Letter to Texture

Todd Shrider — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:17:13 +0000

I love stick straight hair.

I love curly hair.

I love wavy hair.

I love a frizzy mop of crazy hair!

Brazilian straighteners seem to be all the rage at the moment, for better or for worse, and I kind of wish they weren’t. Besides all the possible health risks to your hair stylist – I think it might be nice if we all learned to love our texture. I understand in the dreary and dry middle of winter or the heated humidity of summer, depending on your texture, life might seem out of control, but I promise, there is a way, and it’s not that difficult.

Let me show you:

First thing’s first, your hair needs to be healthy, no matter the texture. Damaged stick straight hair is just as lack luster as a limp frizzy mop on top of your head, but healthy hair is as simple journey.

If you get any sort of color or highlights, make sure you hair stylist has your hairs health in mind. This might mean a soft golden blond instead of a raging platinum hue, but take his advice.
You need to cut your hair every eight weeks, six is even better. If your trying to maximize the length, then make sure you taking of no more the an eighth of an inch. This keeps the cuticle from hardening and splitting and a healthy blunt end is important to your texture, no mater what its range.
Good products, Good products… Good products! Over the counter isn’t going to cut it, in fact it’s going to coat it, deprive it of nutrients and kill it in the long run. For almost any texture, density or condition a tried and true favorite of mine is the Natural Tech Nourishing Line from Davines.
You take vitamins (you do, don’t you?), well your hair needs vitamins too. If your stylist is worth his weight in bobby pins, then he’ll know what treatment is right for you. A must have tool in my apothecary cabinet is Living Enzyme Infusion Plus, also from Davines. It has the food your hair needs and the know how to get it where it’s needed.

With a little time and patience – not too much patience, I promise – you will have a lovely texture, no matter your starting point.

When you love some texture:

Now that you love your texture, you need a styling product that continues to promote that warm and fuzzy (or not so fuzzy) feeling. The final trick up you sleeve is the Defining Invisible Styling Cream, also from Davines. No matter you mood or style ambition, this is sure to become a favorite. It styles, it conditions and it promotes happy texture.

To review:

I love your texture.

Davines obviously loves your texture.

Will you love your texture too?