Bob Hair Boutique Redefines the "Salon Experience"
If it feels like you're walking into a friend's apartment when you walk into bob hair boutique, it's probably because you are. Dustin Granofsky, owner and star stylist, might not be your friend now, but just give him five minutes. He will likely greet you himself, without the pretence of a distracted receptionist, and offer you an espresso, which he will undoubtedly make for you personally. Following a percolated perk, you'll move by the washing station, then past a closed door (which I later learn is his bedroom), and into the studio. The space isn't overwhelming in size, but the brilliant windows and floor length mirrors create the illusion of immensity within an otherwise intimate setting. Intimacy, Granofsky insists, is imperative at bob.
Working from home is not a new thing for Granofsky, even though bob was only born in 2009. He first learned of his passion for hairplay as a 14 year old boy, charging five dollars per trim to his friends after school. He'd cut in his kitchen, snip on the playground, and even clean up his teammates mop-tops in the locker room after basketball. Now, he washes, cuts, colours and styles from his loft space, located on the 5th floor at 263 Adelaide Street. Granofsky's space doubles as one part salon and one part abode, a testament to that old saying 'home is where the heart is'. Fitting for a man whose abiding love for styling has taken him around the world and back.
"A good stylist listens," he tells me, after we sit down on a cubic-looking sofa, tailored to match the rest of the room, which also exhibits a subtle, albeit eclectic design. The entire loft is a perfect aesthetic mix of minimalism and detail, much like Dustin's own exterior. "A good stylist takes the time to understand your lifestyle, knows what you do for a living, your routines, the way you dress, the symmetry of your face a good stylist asks questions," he continues.
According to Granofsky, who spent eight years cutting hair at W salon, and various stints styling in Australia and Zurich, the best haircuts are usually collaborative projects. "Your hair will only look as good as the time you can put into it," he explains. All too often, men and women go out and give their left arm for a cut that only stays coiffed until the first post-cut shampoo. From that point on, if a round brush and a blowdry isn't in the daily cards, many of these styles go to waste, and so too does the money you spend on them.
Therefore, the stylists at bob specialize in customizing a look that not only compliments your cheekbones, but also cooperates with your agenda. "We like to talk about what will work for you, and then we can work together on creating a look that fits," he says.
Though Granofsky understands that many of us have jobs, and commitments (and the odd time, hangovers) that prevent us from getting up in time for any real primping. "The best advice I can give to women who don't have time to work at their hair in the morning is to invest in a good leave-in conditioner, and a diffuser," he explains, tousling his imaginary long hair with one hand. "It will bring out the natural wave in your hair, and the less product you use, the longer the look will stay."
When it comes to leave-in conditioners, Granofsky turns to L'Oreal brand professional styling products. Although the price point is just a touch higher than the drugstore brands, the difference is apparent. "If you're going to spend upwards of $60 on a haircut, why not pay a little extra for a product that will enhance the cut you already paid for," Granofsky asks and essentially answers himself.
However, for those women who just can't help but pull their hair back in the sweltering city heat, Granofsky urges them to do so with care. And style. "A loose, high ponytail can be really feminine and pretty, and I think that's where the trend in hair is headed," he says. "Make sure to leave some face framing pieces down, and maybe throw in an accessory. A thin, simple headband can look really, really stylish."
Granofsky's styling expertise is not exclusive to women. Nor is his advice. Remember that diffuser? Well, according to him, every man should use one too. "I don't understand why some guys have such a 'thing' about blowdrying," he says laughing. "Everyone knows you borrow your girlfriend's blowdryer when she's not around anyway. Just invest in your own, already."
Due to the personal nature of the salon, there are only three chairs, and two main stylists, therefore Granofsky suggests calling at least a week in advance to secure an appointment. His hope when opening bob was to create a unique, comfortable atmosphere that looked nothing like an assembly line. "My clients are both clients, as well as friends," he says, "I don't like to rush them out, and half the fun of (styling) is the conversation."
His sincerity is only matched by his credentials, which include a long list of magazine work and fashion shows, multiple awards, and a repertoire of high profile clients.
"I've done a lot, I've been a lot of places," he states in earnest, "But, like, I'm really pumped about this. It's my own, you know?" Leaning back, he looks around the room, taking in every little detail to which he conceived of entirely on his own. The blueprint for this salon lived, at one point, only in his imagination. However, he attributes the successful fruition of his vision to hard work, good support, and an inspiring trip to Costa Rica in 2008. Some would call it a labour of love, but something tells me that for Dustin, there is nothing laborious about any of it.
"I think I'm going to be really, really happy here," he says, finally. And from the look on his face, I think I'm going to have to agree.
bob hair boutique
263 Adelaide St. W
647 342 2576
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www.bobhairboutique.com
By Carli Mia
 Carli Mia | |
| About the author: | |
Carli Mia, also known as Carli Rothman, also known as Carli Stephens, also known as Carli Mia Stephens Rothman, is a prairie-girl to the core, and a graduate of the Ryerson School of Journalism. She currently lives in downtown Toronto, and acts as the Director of Content for WOMAN.ca! | |
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Can wait to visit his new bob hair Boutique for a sexy new look ~
Good luck with everything sweety
xoxoxo Moni