Hair and Beauty Glossary

An acne facial is a skincare treatment designed to cleanse pores deeply, reduce inflammation, and clear breakouts using products suited to oily or congested skin. These facials do not cause drying and include calming ingredients. Regular acne facials can help prevent future breakouts and improve overall skin clarity.

Ammonia-free colour uses alternative ingredients to open the hair cuticle without the harsh smell or potential damage of traditional ammonia-based dyes. It is gentler on sensitive scalps and colour-treated hair while still providing lasting colour. Many clients at Ms Arch Rival prefer ammonia-free options for a more comfortable colouring experience.

An anti-ageing facial uses targeted products and techniques to address fine lines, loss of elasticity, and other signs of ageing. These facials often include exfoliation, serums with active ingredients, and nourishing masks. Our facials at Ms Arch Rival can be customised to target your specific ageing concerns.

Balayage is a hand-painted colouring technique that creates natural-looking, sun-kissed highlights by sweeping colour onto sections of hair. This method allows for a more blended, dimensional look than traditional foils and requires less upkeep as it grows out. Our colourists use balayage to create soft, personalised colour that complements your skin tone.

A blow dry is a styling service where our stylists use heat and techniques to dry and shape your hair into your desired style. This service is perfect for special occasions or when you want polished, salon-quality results at home. We offer blow dries that work with your hair type and personal style.

A Brazilian wax is a complete hair removal treatment of the bikini area that leaves skin smooth and hairless. It lasts 3 to 6 weeks and is popular before holidays or special occasions. Our waxing specialists at Ms Arch Rival perform Brazilian waxes with care and precision.

A brightening facial uses targeted ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide to even out skin tone, fade discolouration, and restore radiance. This treatment is ideal if you have uneven pigmentation, dullness, or sun damage. A brightening facial leaves skin looking refreshed and luminous.

Brow shaping is a beauty treatment that uses waxing, threading, or tweezing to define and groom your eyebrows to suit your face shape. Well-shaped brows frame your face and can enhance your overall appearance. Our brow specialists at Ms Arch Rival design brows tailored to your features and preferences.

Builder gel nails are an extension system that uses a thick gel to build strength and length onto your natural nails. Unlike acrylic nails, builder gel feels more natural and flexible while still providing durability for everyday wear. Our nail specialists at Ms Arch Rival create custom builder gel designs that last 3 to 4 weeks.

A deep conditioning treatment is an intensive hair mask or treatment that penetrates the hair shaft to repair damage, add moisture, and improve shine. These treatments are stronger than regular conditioner and are ideal for dry, damaged, or colour-treated hair. We recommend deep conditioning every 2 to 4 weeks as part of your hair care routine.

Exfoliation is a skincare step that removes dead skin cells from the surface, revealing smoother, brighter skin underneath. Chemical exfoliants use acids or enzymes while physical exfoliants use grains or scrubs. Regular exfoliation as part of a facial helps improve skin texture and allows products to absorb better.

A facial treatment is a skincare service that cleanses, exfoliates, and nourishes your skin using professional products and techniques. Different facial types target specific concerns like acne, sensitivity, or ageing. At Ms Arch Rival, our facial treatments are tailored to your skin type and goals.

Frizz happens when the hair cuticle is raised and moisture enters the hair shaft, making strands stand out and look unruly. Humidity, dryness, and damage all contribute to frizz. Keratin treatments and quality conditioners help smooth the cuticle and reduce frizz significantly.

Gel polish is a long-wearing nail colour that hardens under UV or LED light and lasts 2 to 3 weeks without chipping. It provides a high-shine finish and is more durable than traditional nail polish. Gel polish removal requires a specialist process to protect your natural nails.

Hair colouring is a service that changes your hair colour using professional dyes or toners applied by a trained stylist. Colour can be permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary depending on the look you want. Our colourists at Ms Arch Rival are skilled in everything from subtle highlights to bold transformations.

A hair cut is a styling service where our stylists trim and shape your hair to suit your face, texture, and lifestyle. A good cut is the foundation of any style and should be refreshed every 4 to 8 weeks. Our cutters at Ms Arch Rival listen to what you want and deliver a shape that works for you.

Highlights are sections of hair coloured lighter than your natural shade, added to create dimension and movement. Highlights can be subtle or bold depending on how many sections are coloured and how light they are. At Ms Arch Rival, we use foil or balayage techniques to place highlights exactly where you want them.

A hydrating facial is a skincare treatment designed to infuse moisture deep into the skin using serums, masks, and specialised products. This facial is ideal for dry or dehydrated skin and leaves your complexion plump and glowing. It is a popular choice before special events on the Central Coast.

A keratin treatment is a semi-permanent hair service that smooths and strengthens damaged or frizzy hair by infusing keratin protein into each strand. The treatment lasts between 8 and 12 weeks and reduces styling time, making your hair easier to manage. At Ms Arch Rival, we use professional-grade keratin to restore shine and smoothness to all hair types.

A lash lift and tint treatment curls and darkens your natural lashes without extensions, giving them a fuller, more lifted appearance that lasts 6 to 8 weeks. The tint adds colour and definition, while the lift opens up your eye area. This low-maintenance treatment is ideal if you want to enhance your lashes without daily mascara.

A pedicure is a foot and nail care service that includes cleaning, shaping, painting, and often massage or exfoliation of the feet. A good pedicure keeps your nails healthy and your feet looking polished. Ms Arch Rival offers pedicures in a relaxing setting where you can unwind.

Permanent colour is a hair dye that uses ammonia and peroxide to open the hair cuticle and deposit colour that lasts until new hair grows in. It covers grey hair completely and offers richer, longer-lasting colour than semi-permanent options. Our colourists at Ms Arch Rival use professional permanent colour to achieve your desired look.

A root touch-up is a colour service that refreshes colour on the roots of your hair where new growth has appeared, without recolouring the entire head. Root touch-ups keep your colour looking fresh and are less damaging than full-head colour. We typically recommend root touch-ups every 4 to 8 weeks depending on your colour.

A scalp treatment is a focused skincare service for your scalp that cleanses, soothes, and balances to address dryness, oiliness, or sensitivity. A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair growth. Our stylists can recommend scalp treatments tailored to your specific needs.

Semi-permanent colour is a hair dye that gradually fades with each wash and typically lasts 4 to 6 weeks. It is gentler on hair than permanent colour because it does not open the hair cuticle as deeply. Semi-permanent colour is a great option if you want to try a new shade without long-term commitment.

Skin needling, also called microneedling, uses fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries on the skin’s surface, triggering natural healing and collagen production. This treatment improves texture, reduces fine lines, and can fade scarring or pigmentation. Results build over multiple sessions and continue to improve for months after treatment.

Split ends occur when the outer layer of your hair shaft becomes damaged and frays, usually from heat, chemicals, or age. While only a trim can fully remove split ends, regular conditioning and careful styling can prevent them from worsening. Trimming your hair every 6 to 8 weeks helps keep split ends at bay.

Threading is a hair removal technique that uses twisted thread to pull hair out from the root, commonly used for eyebrow shaping and facial hair removal. It is precise, gentler than waxing for sensitive skin, and lasts 3 to 4 weeks. Threading is a quick, effective option for detailed brow work.

A toner is a semi-permanent colour product used after bleaching to neutralise unwanted tones and achieve your desired shade. Toners are lighter and less damaging than permanent colour and gradually fade, making them perfect for adjusting colour between appointments. Our stylists use toner to fine-tune your colour and keep it looking vibrant.

Waxing is a hair removal method that uses warm wax to pull hair out from the root, leaving skin smooth for 3 to 6 weeks. It works on most areas of the body and is gentler on skin than shaving over time. Our waxing services at Ms Arch Rival use quality products suited to sensitive skin.