by William McAllister | Feb 7, 2020 | hair
If you’re bored with your look and hoping to change it up soon, getting a hair appointment at our hair salon in Miami Beach is the first step! Whether it’s changing the style up, dying it a different color, or simply adjusting the length, your hair makes a huge impact on the way you look. A hair appointment is the fastest way to drastically change your look for the better!
Blowouts, highlights, ombre, keratin, no matter what you decide on, we will make sure it looks perfect on you. We know you’re excited to change your hairstyle as soon as possible. But, before rushing to make an appointment with us, read these five tips we’ve outlined for you to get the best hairstyling experience possible.
Arrive on time!
When you make an appointment with us, you decide the time and day you want to come get your hair done. Once our appointment has been set up, it’s essential that you show up on time!
Unfortunately, arriving late enough means you could even lose your time slot in the salon. We will set aside an appropriate amount of time for your hairstyle, so if you show up late, you are cutting that time short. And think about it, do you really want your hairstylist to be rushing through your haircut? Hopefully not!
It’s best to arrive a few minutes before the determined time and allow the stylist to get the work done in the proper time scheduled for it. The stylist will be able to put all the care in the world into your hair to leave it looking gorgeous and you will be satisfied when you leave. The time will be worth it, we promise!
Dress normally!
When you’re going to a salon, there’s no need to get all dressed up. By wearing an outfit you wouldn’t normally wear, the stylist might end up suggesting a hairstyle or color that doesn’t really suit your real clothing style!
To avoid this, just dress how you do on a day-to-day basis. The stylist can see your usual wardrobe and help you decide on the right hairstyle or color that’ll suit your clothes and color scheme, making sure you will look great everyday afterwards.
However, don’t forget that hair appointments can sometimes take a while, so wear one of your more comfortable daily outfits. Make sure it’s something you’re willing to sit in for a few hours, because like we mentioned before, you really don’t want to rush this process!
Eat before you come!
Depending on what your hair appointment is for, the process might vary in time. No matter how short or long the process might be, the smartest move is simply to eat beforehand. You don’t want to be sitting in a salon for hours while your stomach is growling!
If you’re planning to dye your hair, it’s even more important to eat beforehand, since it can take a while for the dye to settle in. If you don’t feel like eating before your appointment, you can order at a restaurant and have them deliver it to our hair salon in Miami Beach. This way, you can eat while your hair color or treatment is processing.
You decide whether you want a full meal or simply a snack, but we always keep your comfort in mind and want you to be as comfortable as possible while getting styled in our salon.
Bring a picture!
If you want a certain style, it’s best to bring a picture of it. Spend some time researching to find someone with the exact style or color you want, then bring us a picture of it. A picture is always better than a description of a style, because our stylists will be able to visualize your dream properly and make it come true.
You can text or email us to plan your style. With a picture, we will be able to schedule the timing of your appointment correctly, so you know how much of your time will be taken up that day.
If you’re contemplating a new style or color and aren’t sure if it’s the proper fit for you, you can text or email us a picture of you and a few pictures of the styles you’re thinking about. With these visuals, we can help you decide which style and color will work for you. Together, we can tweak any details and find the perfect hairstyle for you!
Make it last!
When all the planning and processing is done, you’ll be left with a gorgeous hairstyle we will make sure you love. But, once you finally have the hairstyle you’ve been dreaming of, you need to maintain it to keep it looking healthy and beautiful.
Your old hair routine might have worked for your last hairstyle, but this new one might need a brand-new routine. Ask your hairstylist or colorist what homecare they might recommend to ensure the best lifespan for your hair color.
Be prepared to buy their recommended shampoo and conditioner, as well as any hair creams or oils they might suggest. It might sound like a pain, but to make sure your hair gets the best it deserves after its appointment, it’s necessary to follow all their recommendations to keep it looking as if you’re fresh out of the salon.
If you follow all of these tips, you will get an optimal experience before, during, and after your hair appointment. Not only will the planning for the appointment be a breeze, but you’ll be as comfortable as possible while the stylist works on your hair. Afterwards, you will feel as spectacular as your hair will look! To make an appointment or have a consultation with the McAllister hairstylists at our hair salon in Miami Beach, you can text, email, or call us. We will get back to you as quickly as possible to provide suggestions, tips, and recommendations for your dream hairstyle, as well as book an appointment for you to finally get it!
More than a decade ago, William McAllister hatched an idea to disrupt the beauty salon industry in Miami Beach. He contemplated what salons once were in years gone by. He yearned to recapture their unique contributions to both personal beauty & community. In the past 10 years, he’s forever changed the industry, and according to him, he’s just getting started! He draws from a unique background – encompassing everything from neurophysiology, business to firefighting- and built South Beach’s busiest & most reviewed beauty concept in South Florida.
by William McAllister | Jan 23, 2020 | News, skin and body
Airbrush Spray Tan
Achieving your best tan can be a time-consuming experience – whether you’re dangerously exposing your skin to those summer-y sun rays or using “fake-n-bake” tanning creams. Overdoing those UV tanning attempts sometimes leaves you sunburnt, increasing the likelihood of skin cancer & that’s never a fun experience. Then again neither is ending up a mix-and-match orange because you applied tanning creams unevenly or just plain wrong! So Goldilocks…what can you do?
If you’re looking for a natural, bronzed look without all the hassle and the skin damage, look no further. McAllister Spa offers a unique, fast spray tan experience you won’t find in any other salon in Miami Beach. And to top it off, the environment is unlike any other spray tanning experience. No tiny booth here…No ma’am (or sir)! This spa-quality treatment room is expansive and includes a full shower and an 8-foot mirror that stretches all the way up to the ceiling. Through a consultation with our technicians, we can help you reach your spray tanning goals. We will show you our whole range of colors and figure out the perfect bronzed color to match and enhance your natural skin tone. Once we’ve picked the perfect tone, you’re just minutes away from bronzed perfection!
Spray Tan Tips
A couple of tips to help us achieve your best spray tan ever. Before we get to work, you must prepare your skin. This is a simple process, but it must be done properly. Shaving and exfoliation should happen the evening before your appointment. Wear darkly-colored, loose-fitting cotton clothing and bring flip-flops. If you don’t have time to exfoliate before you arrive, we can upgrade your appointment to include a dry body buff and a quick shower using a pecan shell exfoliating scrub by Aviva Tanning. From there, our spray tanning techs will get to work on that full-body tan, half-body spray, or a quick bronzing of the face and décolleté.
Our traditional option is ideal for anyone looking to have a considerably darker complexion; the typical time to fully develop is approximately 4-6 hours before showering. If you’re short on time, however, we do offer a unique menu of Express Tan options. The express formulations were created for anyone in desperate need of a quick tan. Depending on the intensity of the tan you’re looking for, you can shower in 30 to 90 minutes! No other salon in Miami Beach can give you such amazing results in such a short time. All of our natural formulations contain up to 14% organic DHA (Dihydroxyacetone), which ensures a long-lasting tan.
A couple more tips related to the longevity of spray tans. Do not shower until FOUR hours minimum after the tan – ideally six! Avoid any type of exercise, avoidable sweating or rain until then. After your first shower, you should moisturize using one of Aviva Labs lotions available here. Exfoliation is the ultimate “no-no,” whether it’s shaving, using a loofah, showering with body scrubs, even rubbing a towel to dry off (always pat dry =). By following these tips and others found here, you will be gorgeously tanned for up to 7 days!
Let’s book an appointment for your next spray tan in Miami Beach. Contact us by sending us a text, giving us a call or sending an email!
More than a decade ago, William McAllister hatched an idea to disrupt the beauty salon industry in Miami Beach. He contemplated what salons once were in years gone by. He yearned to recapture their unique contributions to both personal beauty & community. In the past 10 years, he’s forever changed the industry, and according to him, he’s just getting started! He draws from a unique background – encompassing everything from neurophysiology, business to firefighting- and built South Beach’s busiest & most reviewed beauty concept in South Florida.
by William McAllister | Jan 16, 2020 | nails, News
January is here and it’s time to make some changes. It’s time to get rid of last year’s polish and transform your nails into something new to match the new you. Also, what better way to start the New Year than with a fresh manicure that reflects how you’ve changed?
I know you’re excited, but before you jump right into a new manicure, there’s some things to consider. While there are plenty of nail salons in Miami Beach, not all of them have your best interests in mind. Whether it’s the cleanliness of their salon or their accessibility, you should think about certain aspects first. Here are four things you should know before your next manicure to ensure it goes as perfectly as you want 2020 to!
1. How do you communicate with the salon?
It can be a bit overwhelming to choose between all the nail salons available. How can you know which one will provide the manicure you want? Fortunately, here at McAllister Spa, we aim to be as accessible as possible. We understand that prior communication is essential to making sure you get the perfect manicure!
Clients can text, call, or email us to make an appointment and discuss their nail goals. McAllister Spa appointments have two options: You can set it up in person and go visit our salon or do an online appointment.
These online consultations are an innovative feature we’ve implemented at our salon with your comfort in mind. Gone are the days when you had to drive down to the salon to discuss with the stylists, before realizing you weren’t interested anymore! Fortunately, you can stop wasting time travelling for consultations. Now, you can decide if you want to work with us or not without ever leaving your home! These consultations can occur over live-streaming video, which can be on FaceTime, Periscope, etc.
Through either appointment option, we can discuss your visions for your manicure and the best way to get it done. We are readily available to you through many different communication options. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a quick consultation!
2. How is the salon’s sterilization?
Sterilization is an important aspect to salons, one that maybe some nail salons in Miami Beach might overlook. You never know how many clients have passed by that same salon, sat in that chair, and had their nails done with the same tools currently being used on you. Sterilization ensures a safe, professional environment for you and your health.
At McAllister Spa, we consider tool sterilization to be of utmost importance. We know you deserve hygienic tools during each of our services and work hard to provide that. Our nail technicians use a research-grade autoclave to sterilize all of our tools. These autoclave pouches are commonly used in dental offices to fight any possible contamination before and after use. These pouches have a dual process indicator, allowing us to know when the correct sterilization temperature has been reached. Thanks to these internal and external indicators, we can make sure the sterilization process is done correctly for ultimate cleanliness.
Not only do we ensure that our tools are always 100% sanitized before coming into contact with your body, but our nail technicians also wear nitrile gloves during nail services. We combat contamination along every step of the way to provide a pleasant manicure experience for all of our clients.
3. How clean is the salon?
A clean environment is necessary for good hygiene, which is crucial for any nail salon. During nail services, it’s super important to provide the cleanest environment possible for clients, making sure to sanitize every tool between each one to achieve it.
McAllister Spa’s number-one priority is allowing you to have the perfect salon experience. A sterilized environment is essential for this and we take the appropriate steps to provide healthy services.
Our pedicure basins are pipeless and sanitized after each use, which means your feet will be touching a sterilized basin during every pedicure. To further ensure cleanliness, our nail technicians sanitize each pedicure tool between clients to avoid cross-contamination.
For manicures, our tables are stainless steel, providing the cleanest surface possible. They are sanitized between each client, as well as each manicure tool. All containers on the manicure tables are made from stainless steel or scientific-grade amber glass vessels, each chosen with the intent to keep your environment sanitary.
The floors at McAllister Spa are mopped each evening with hospital-grade disinfectants to eliminate any bacteria that might come in to such a delicate space. Your nails deserve nothing less than perfect hygiene and we aim to provide a healthy, safe environment to allow that.
4. What chemicals are they using on you?
Every nail salon has its own way of working, which means each one uses different products on your nails. While some nail salons in Miami Beach are perfectly fine with using harsh chemicals that might damage your nails, the nail technicians at McAllister Spa look for healthier alternatives. We save the harsh chemicals for our work environment to ensure a germ-free salon, but believe our clients deserve a more gentle treatment with our nail services.
Our most popular service, the Classic 2.0, is a manicure and pedicure service that comes with a customized salt scrub just for you. This salt scrub mixes dually-certified, 100% pure essential oils (Oregon-Tilth & USDA) with six naturally harvested salts from all around the world. This natural salt scrub will be gentle on your skin, as opposed to other rougher scrubs you might find in other nail salons.
After this scrub, the nail technicians will groom and oil your cuticles exclusively with organic 100% fractionated coconut oil, as well as shape and buff your nails. To top it all off, the nail technicians will finish with an application of your favorite Essie or OPI nail lacquer. If you want a different manicure service, check out each option we have to offer. Every service uses natural, gentle products to ensure your nails remain healthy and you stay happy with your nail salon experience.
More than a decade ago, William McAllister hatched an idea to disrupt the beauty salon industry in Miami Beach. He contemplated what salons once were in years gone by. He yearned to recapture their unique contributions to both personal beauty & community. In the past 10 years, he’s forever changed the industry, and according to him, he’s just getting started! He draws from a unique background – encompassing everything from neurophysiology, business to firefighting- and built South Beach’s busiest & most reviewed beauty concept in South Florida.
by William McAllister | Dec 28, 2019 | skin and body
New Year’s Eve is almost here, which means it’s time to start worrying about beauty preparations! Whether it’s your hair, nails or makeup, we can help you achieve the perfect holiday look to start the New Year in fashion! #2020
Choosing your hairstyle for this holiday might be one of the biggest decisions, but it doesn’t have to be difficult! Our McAllister stylists use Oribe hair styling products to manage even the most difficult hair types. Whether it’s heat-damaged, dry or dull, this product will make it look healthier and rejuvenated. From gorgeous updos to amazing blowouts, our stylists will weave Oribe’s magic into your hair to keep it moisturized & shiny throughout all of your New Year’s plans! Our McAllister stylists also offer intricate braids for a picture-perfect hairstyle on the 31st. Stop by our salon or call for a free consultation & we will find the right look for all your holiday plans.
Nothing is worse than breaking out right before a holiday, but we are here to ease your worries. With a HydraFacial treatment, you can get perfect skin just hours before your evening’s events. This treatment only takes 45 minutes to clear any imperfections or blemishes. That’s right!… 45 minutes to erase a bit of sun-damage from summer tanning sessions or dry skin spots from the recent cold winter weather. Get rid of those aging lines, making it seem as if this past year never happened! HydraFacial offers different treatment plans, depending on your skin type. With a quick skin analysis, we can recommend the best one for you. Each facial treatment provides immediately visible results with no discomfort or downtime. It’s the best facial treatment to get your skin glowing right before the holidays. Start 2020 with younger, fresh, clear skin.
With your skin looking healthier than ever, our McAllister makeup artists can create the perfect make-up look to pair with your New Year’s outfit. With your personal style in mind, they will apply the matching make-up for your event. The combination of HydraFacial and make-up applications will make sure you look back on your New Year’s pictures with a smile! To top it off, our nail technicians are always available to polish off your image with an immaculate manicure and perfect pedicure.
If any of these options interest you, come by for a free consultation to prepare your ideal look for SoBe’s New Year’s Eve festivities! If you’re ready to book an appointment with a McAllister stylist, do it ASAP because our team’s schedules are filling up fast! Call or text us for more information or to book an appointment.
More than a decade ago, William McAllister hatched an idea to disrupt the beauty salon industry in Miami Beach. He contemplated what salons once were in years gone by. He yearned to recapture their unique contributions to both personal beauty & community. In the past 10 years, he’s forever changed the industry, and according to him, he’s just getting started! He draws from a unique background – encompassing everything from neurophysiology, business to firefighting- and built South Beach’s busiest & most reviewed beauty concept in South Florida.
by William McAllister | Dec 7, 2019 | hair
The holidays are fast approaching, and now is the time to contemplate the steps you’ll need to take to present a photo-perfect look for those office Christmas parties, family dinners and New Year’s eve parties. Of those decisions, there’s perhaps no more important decision to be made than how to tame those tresses. Your McAllister hair stylists have a wide variety of hair treatment options this year to smooth frizzy hair and repair dry & damaged hair.
Olaplex hair treatments are a perennial favorite and paired with a blowout have become the standard hair treatment for clients with either hair dried from the summer sun or chemically-damaged hair. In less than an hour, our stylists will have you back to better than new! And this year, Olaplex has gone beyond No. 3 to use at home…this year Olaplex has introduced No. 4 shampoo, No. 5 conditioner, No. 6 bond smoother and No. 7 bonding oil. If you’re looking for something a bit more naturally-derived, look no further than Davines’ sustainably-sourced and naturally-derived hair treatment options. This year’s “go-to” from Davines is the Renaissance Circle hair mask. This treatment is perfect to repair hair stressed from the use of hot tools, rebuilding hair integrity and restoring hair’s natural shine.
If you are considering hair smoothing options, your McAllister stylists have more options than ever before. The industry standard – Keratin Complex – is a mainstay in McAllister’s hair salon; Keratin Complex however has introduced KC Max – the strongest keratin available and produces absolutely beautiful results. For clients that want to keep the body and ability to style but kick the frizzy hair, we have several options that will be tailored to your particular needs and budget. Brazilian Blowout is available and is the treatment that started all the rage over a year ago and produces dependably gorgeous results. Brazilian Blowout has also introduced BBX – an express version of the original that takes less time and costs a bit less as well. Goldwell’s Kerasilk treatment stands alone as our only customizable treatment that is tailored to your hair’s condition, texture and porosity…and the results last and last and last and last and well…you get the point!
So if you are contemplating a hair treatment in advance of the holiday rush, book your appointment with a McAllister stylist ASAP. Schedules are filling fast and time is running short! Stop in for a consultation, text us to book an appointment or give us a ring.
More than a decade ago, William McAllister hatched an idea to disrupt the beauty salon industry in Miami Beach. He contemplated what salons once were in years gone by. He yearned to recapture their unique contributions to both personal beauty & community. In the past 10 years, he’s forever changed the industry, and according to him, he’s just getting started! He draws from a unique background – encompassing everything from neurophysiology, business to firefighting- and built South Beach’s busiest & most reviewed beauty concept in South Florida.
