Sunday, April 22, 2012

Milano Collection LA Showroom Tour

Posted by Unknown at 8:52 PM 2 comments
Over Passover I had the chance to checkout Milano Collection's Los Angeles showroom.  I wanted to share my general impressions.  First of all, Milano Collection is one of the first "major Jewish wig brands" to open a dedicated showroom in Los Angeles.  Los Angeles has sheitel machers who sell multiple wig brands as well as sheitel stores that carry various brands, but to my knowledge Milano is the first "NY Transplant" salon to open shop in LA.

There was plenty of metered parking available right in front of the store, for the reasonable rate of $1/hour.  There is also free street parking available in the residential neighborhoods a few blocks away but be careful because LA has strict parking regulations including some streets that require permits and others that have street cleaning on certain days a week.  The storefront had a upscale look to it and displayed a few wigs in the window.  You have to ring a doorbell and be buzzed in.  I called Milano in advance and let them know that Chavi was coming to the store, believe it or not, they hadn't even heard of me!!!  Well, I educated them on who I am and what my mission is - essentially providing wig information to consumers. They were happy to let me come in and take pictures and try on wigs to my hearts delight.

I learned that Milano wigs come in two qualities: processed European and unprocessed European, and that the prices vary depending on length and hair quality.  Their unprocessed wigs have codes such as LL-14 while the processed wigs have names like "Reese" and "Giselle".  They organized their showroom by grouping the wigs in various color groups.  They also had additional wigs in bins below each section.  The shop attendant told me that pretty much all of the wigs out on the main showroom floor were considered "pre-cuts" .
A few things I learned:
1. Freedom wig caps run really small.  I tried to try on a size Large freedom cap and couldn't even get it onto my head.  (freedom caps do not have any clips in them)
2. The iFront line has a small strip of lace in the front that is supposed to make the hairline of the wigs look more natural.  For whatever reason the lace on the lighter colored wigs was more noticeable then the lace on the darker colored wigs.
3. Milano wigs come in various textures but overall the processed wigs actually frizz less than the unprocessed wigs.
4. Pony wigs come in sizes L and XL because for many people its necessary to go up a size in order for them to cover all their hair and make the pony look natural.
5. The stylist recommended washing wigs exclusively in high end sulfate free shampoos since most of them are processed, in order to prevent them from becoming dry and brittle and losing their shine.  (I will be recommending specific products in later posts)
6. I look better in hair darker than my own hair, even though my natural hair color is "dishwater blonde".  The blonde wigs made me look completely washed out. I suppose if my true color existed it would look good, but its hard to find.

The showroom offers tons of wig services aside from wash & set and cutting including coloring and deep conditioning treatment.  Also, the cut price varies on how much one wants cut.  I ended up buying something... will post about it later!  Can anyone guess which of the wigs pictured in the album is the one I bought??

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Aishes Slip No More Giveaway

Posted by Unknown at 9:40 AM 3 comments
I hope you all enjoyed the review of the Slip No More which was published last week here.  I am happy to announce that I will be giving away two Slip No More headbands to two lucky AskChavi readers.  I have a size S and a size M to giveaway.
Here's how to enter:
1. Like AskChavi on Facebook, and/or Follow AskChavi on Twitter and/or post a comment below

2. Post a Facebook status @Ask Chavi saying what you love best about AskChavi or what you favorite post has been or what information you would like to be written about on Ask Chavi.  (Examples: I love the wig reviews on @Ask Chavi or @Ask Chavi is the best source for sheitel info on the web!) Keep in mind that @Ask Chavi will bring up a link to my Facebook page which you will select and the "@" sign will disappear.

ii. and/or follow AskChavi on Twitter and mention something great about @AskChavi in a tweet. 

iii. and/or post a comment below on why you love AskChavi or what information you would like blogged about by Chavi.  Obviously anonymous posts will not be eligible since I will have no way of contacting you if you win.  

3. Each separate post is a separate entry.  I.e. if you post on Facebook, Twitter and as a blog comment on this page you get three entries in the drawing, if you only post on Facebook you get one entry, etc.  

4. Entries must be posted between 4/3/12 and 11:59 pm PDT on 4/17/12

5. Winners will be selected at random.  Shipping will be provided by AskChavi within the United States.  The first place winner selected will have their choice of either S or M size band and the second winner selected will receive the band which was not selected by the first place winner.  Two winners will be selected, so if you win the "first place" prize your name will be removed from the "second place" drawing.

Eligibility:
To be eligible for the AskChavi Giveaway, you must be: [1] a natural person legally residing in, and physically located within (have a US address!), the 50 United States[2] 18 or older

Rules:
* You must have a US mailing address to win.
* The prize is not exchangeable or refundable for cash. 
 

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