Hair Styling

Fashion Week Beauty: Rita Hazan Salon creates gorgeous retro hair at Farah Angsana

 2011, beauty, Fall and Winter, Fashion Week, Hair Styling, Rita Hazan  Comments Off
Feb 162011
 

Eddie Ngai, renowned stylist of the Rita Hazan Salon, created fabulous do’s during the Farah Angsana show at The Studio at Lincoln Center on Friday, February 11th. Farah was inspired by German-Australian photographer, Helmut Newton’s erotic and sexy glamour shots, which led Eddie to the dramatic high-fashion French twists. This chic look instantly adds elegance and sophistication and encourages woman to be feminine, yet sexy and seductive while strutting their stuff down the runway.

These gorgeous updos can be created at home, believe it or not. With a bit of practice, you can have this fab style.

Here is how to get the look:

  • Section your hair – pin the crown section up and out of the way
  • Pull the pieces underneath back into a French twist and secure with bobby pins
  • Tease the top section and part on the side
  • Finally, pin the top section to the hair already in the twist, and spray, spray, spray!

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Three amazing looks that are easy to do for Valentine’s Day

 anti-frizz, beauty, blow, dry shampoo, Hair Styling  Comments Off
Feb 142011
 

Need some ideas on how to get a gorgeous ‘do for the holiday? blow, the new york blow dry bar has some easy ideas to get you thinking.

Sexy Bedhead
 Change up your picture-perfect look and let your inner vixen out for the night with sexy, effortless hair.

  1. Starting with dry hair, work in Faux Dry – Dry Shampoo at the crown to remove any oil and to add texture.
  2. Use a 1½-inch curling iron to create curls. Don’t use the clamp, rather wrap hair around the full barrel.
  3. Evenly apply Blow Up Thickening Mist all over. Flip hair over and rake your fingers through the curls to break them up.
  4. Spritz Beach Blow Texturzing Mist into the palms of your hands and scrunch into hair for a tousled look.

Sleek and Straight
 If you always wear your hair naturally curly then surprise him with a chic, modern look.

  1. Work in a nickel-sized dollop of Straight to the Point Straightening Emulsion and a dime-sized drop of Weather Girl Climate Neutralizing Complex into damp hair before blow drying.
  2. Using duck bill clips divide hair into 4-6 sections.
  3. Blow dry each section using a paddle brush. The more tension you use, the straighter your hair will be.
  4. Simultaneously run a fine-toothed comb and flat iron through hair for a smooth, straight finish.

Fun and Sweet Up-Do
 Keep the night laid back with a playful up-do.

  1. Section off a triangular area of hair at the crown. Using a fine-toothed comb gently tease hair at the back of this section. Draw the front section of hair over the “cushion” you created and gently secure with two small bobby pins by creating an “X” on the top mid/back part of your head. Be careful you don’t flatten the volume you created.
  2. Use a 1½-inch curling iron to curl the rest of the hair.
  3. Gather hair into a loose bun at the nape of the neck and finish with
    Blow Up Thickening Mist     for touchable hold.
  4. Running late? Skip Step 2 and work in Beach Blow Texturzing Mist to accentuate your hair’s natural texture before creating the bun.

Glamorous Blow Out
 Not sure what your plans are? A gorgeous blow out will complete any look.

  1. Apply Ready Set Blow Express Blow Dry Lotion to clean, towel-dried hair. Section hair into 5 sections using duck bill clips.
  2. Dry each section with a large round boar bristle brush. On the final pass for each section switch the hair dryer to the cool setting to set and minimize frizz and fly-aways.
  3. Roll each section back up and secure with clips. Apply Blow Up Thickening Mist to keep the look voluminous all day long.
  4. Remove pins and tilt head forward and rake fingers through hair to loosen up the sections.
  5. Flip hair back and work in a dime-sized amount of Weather Girl Climate Neutralizing Complex for a smooth finish.
  6. Rushing home from work? Fake a fabulous blow out by focusing on the top section of hair. Make sure it is fully dry with ample volume and your look will be drop dead gorgeous.

Fashion Week Beauty: Aveda at Jason Wu

 2011, Aveda, beauty, Fall and Winter, Fashion Week, Hair Styling  Comments Off
Feb 122011
 

Aveda lead stylist Odile Gilbert created a sleek and elegant gilded twist using Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener, Aveda Brilliant Spray-On Shine, and Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray at the Jason Wu Fall/Winter 2011 show.

“The Jason Wu hair for this season is elegantly chic—like a piece of art. The ends of the hair are coated in 24-karat gold leaf and shaped like a feather, echoing the gold accents and feathers from the collection.” — Odile Gilbert for Aveda

aveda-at-jason-wu-1

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How to get the look:

  1. Apply Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightenerto damp hair, from roots to ends, to smooth hair and add shine. Create a center part using a fine-tooth comb and blow hair dry straight. Use a flat-iron for super sleek length.
  2. Create a ponytail at the nape of the neck and secure with an elastic. Spray Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray
    generously to keep hair in place.
  3. Coat the hair from roots to ends with Aveda Brilliant Retexturing Gel for a lustrous, polished look.
  4. Divide the ponytail in half and wind the two sections together to create a twist. Secure the twist with an elastic two to three inches above the ends and mist with Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray for hold.
  5. Pull the ends of the hair up to the back of the head so the twist loops at the neck. Use bobby pins to secure the bottom of the twist to the base—so the ends of the hair fan upwards. Add a layer of Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray.
  6. Use a fine-tooth comb to coax the ends of the hair into a feather shape and set against the head using Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray. Very gently apply gold leaf to only to the shaped ends with fingers and spray liberally with Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray.
  7. Complete the look with a generous layer of Aveda Brilliant Spray-On Shine for a high gloss finish.
Q: What was your inspiration for this look? How did you collaborate with the designer to create the look?
“Jason’s Baroque-meets-American-sportswear collection this season includes muted black, whites, and nudes highlighted by shots of antique gold, so we wanted to create something simple and elegant—with a touch of luxury.” — Odile Gilbert for Aveda
Q: How could a woman achieve this look on her own?
“To adapt this style for real life, create a sleek pony with Aveda Brilliant Spray-On Shine and twist into a bun at the nape of the neck, with ends fanning up the back of the head.  Clip with a bright metallic barrette or hair pin to add a shot of glamour.  Spray with Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray for a controlled and elegant finish.”
— Odile Gilbert for Aveda
Q: What is the inspiration for your collection? What is the look you are capturing?
“My collection was inspired by Robert Polidori’s gorgeous photographs of the restoration of Versailles.  I loved the juxtaposition between Versailles’ rough undersurface revealed during renovation and its opulent Baroque décor, so my clothing this season is a mix of luxuriously embellished fabrics and signature American sportswear.  There are over fifteen types of laces, including a delicately falling leaf motif lace that I embroidered onto day and evening pieces and a gilded lace gown with black and white ‘gear’ palettes.” — Jason Wu

Fashion Week Beauty: Rita Hazan salon backstage at Costello Tagliapietra

 2011, Fall and Winter, Fashion Week, Hair Styling, Rita Hazan, Salons  1 Response »
Feb 112011
 

Nelson Vercher, renowned stylist of the Rita Hazan Salon, easily depicts designer Costello Tagliapietra’s inspiration during his runway show at Milk Studios on Friday, February 11th at 3:00PM. The look is a reflection of the late 1960′s and early 1970′s suburban housewives, when women had just begun enjoying their independence.  It’s a loose and sexy appeal that celebrates the modern women who typically wears their hair flat and straight, but instead Nelson creates this unique look which expresses femininity, passion, and eccentric style.

To get the look:

  • Apply Phyto mousse on wet hair and Phyto volume at the root to create texture and lift
  • Rough dry the hair, concentrating on the root for maximum volume and smoothing ends
  • Tease at the root, use a barrel curling iron at the ends to create subtle waves, and smooth the look with a hairbrush

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Fashion Week Beauty: Aveda at Christian Siriano

 2011, Aveda, beauty, Fall and Winter, Fashion Week, Hair Styling  Comments Off
Feb 112011
 

Aveda lead stylist Antoinette Beenders created graceful waves using Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair, Aveda Air Control Hair Spray, and Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray at the Christian Siriano Fall/Winter 2011 Fashion Week show.

“The Christian Siriano hair for this season is sinuous and matte—beautiful waves that are neither too beachy nor too glam. It’s pretty in the simplest way.” — Antoinette Beenders for Aveda

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HAIR STEP BY STEP BY ANTOINETTE BEENDERS FOR AVEDA:
  • Apply Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair to damp hair to repair and protect from heat styling.  Blow dry straight with a Mason Pearson brush.
  • Use a fine-tooth comb to create a center part, dividing the hair into two sides.  Loosely braid each side and secure at the ends with elastics.  Spray with Aveda Air Control Hair Spray for light hold.
  • Starting at the top of each braid, apply a few seconds of gentle pressure with a flat iron.  Section by section, move slowly down so that the entirety of each braid has been pressed.
  • Gently pinch the sides of each braid between the thumb and forefinger and tug gently to loosen.
  • Remove the elastics and use fingers to loosen the curl.  To create a soft wave, brush lightly with a Mason Pearson brush and set the look with Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray.
Q: What was your inspiration for this look? How did you collaborate with the designer to create the look?
“Christian’s collection was inspired by the graceful beauty of orchid flower petals.  We wanted a hair style that captures that natural elegance.” — Antoinette Beenders for Aveda
Q: How could a woman achieve this look on her own?
“This look is very easy to recreate and works for anyone with a little length to their hair.  To protect hair from heat damage, use a small amount of Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair on damp hair and blow dry straight.  Then make two braids, one on each side of the head, and spray with Aveda Air Control Hair Spray for light hold.  Use a flat iron to gently set each braid, pressing small sections from top to bottom.  Finally, undo the braids, loosen waves with your fingers, and set the look with Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray.” — Antoinette Beenders for Aveda
Q: What is the inspiration for your collection? What is the look you are capturing?
“My collection this season is inspired by intricately beautiful details found in plant life, like the petals of a Dracula orchid.  That concept led to stunningly detailed patterns and glamorous eveningwear.” — Christian Siriano

Hair trends from the recent SAG awards: beachy waves, sideswept updos, and sleek ponytails

 Amy Adams, Angie Harmon, beauty, Hair Styling, Julia Stiles, Juliana Margulies, Lea Michelle, Mila Kunis, Natalie Portman, Tina Fey  Comments Off
Feb 062011
 

The 2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California on January 30th, where celebrities continue to celebrate television and film and more fashion and beauty trends. This year, stars took a more relaxed approach to their fashion and hairstyles that paired off each look. These styles were not only the perfect match to their all over looks, but couldn’t be easier to re-create.

angie harmon julianna margulies amy adams at SAG awards sleek ponytail

Sleek Ponytail: Stars like Julianna Margulies, Amy Adams and Angie Harmon all sported a sleek ponytail on the red carpet and kept it modern and clean – no matter if it was high or low. To add length to your ponytail, simply try Hairdo Wrap-Around Pony ($49: QVC.com).

mila kunis julia stiles lea michelle with beach waves at the sag awards

Beachy Waves: Long wavy locks are a classic Hollywood hairstyle, but the waves seen on the SAG red carpet were worn more relaxed and less coiffed. To get the look of Mila Kunis, Lea Michelle and Julia Stiles, add in some extra volume to hair with Hairdo 20 Inch Styleable Extensions ($99: QVC.com) or the Dancing with the Stars Hair Extensions in Go! Go! Girl ($49: HSN.com).

natalie portman, january jones tina fey with side swept updo at the sag awards

Side-Swept Updo: The updo for the SAG red carpet belonged to the side-swept chignon, worn parted to the side and low, which was seen on Natalie Portman, January Jones and Tina Fey. To easily style this look at home, use the Hairdo Braided Chignon ($42: QVC.com) or the Dancing with the Stars Hair Extensions in Glamarama ($20: HSN.com) that both clip-into your own bun and add a glamorous finish!

How to: get a bouffant like Kim Kardashian at the People’s Choice awards

 BaByliss, Batiste, beauty, Hair Styling, How To, Kim Kardashian, KMS, Rsession, SAMY, T3, tutorial  Comments Off
Jan 122011
 

kim kardashian bouffant people's choice awards 2011The bouffant is coming back, in a big way, and I am absolutely loving it! Getting this hairstyle isn’t as hard as it looks, and although you can try something like Bumpits, I prefer to go truly old school and get mine the old fashioned way. Here is a quick guide to getting your old-school retro glamour on.

  1. While most hair tutorials tell you to start with fresh, clean hair, this is one that won’t. Did you know that day old hair holds styles better? It’s true. Brush your hair out and add some dry shampoo such as Batiste all along the roots. This will help to add volume.
  2. At this point, if you have straight hair, you are ready to move on. If your hair is curly, you will want to blow dry it straight with a large round brush such as the T3 Anti-Gravity 3″ Barrel Brush. You can also use a flat iron like the BaByliss Pro TT Tourmaline 500 Natural Ionic Flat Iron to get it straight.
  3. Now it’s time to backcomb. This is also known as teasing your hair. I strongly recommend using a teasing brush such as the Rsession Tools Large Teasing Brush rather than a rattail comb – the results will be much better and it will go much, much faster. Section the hair into small pieces – no more than two inches wide, and clip the rest out of the way. With one hand, hold the hair straight up from the scalp, and using the brush, move backwards toward your scalp. Start at the end of the hair strands and go all the way to the root. Repeat this process until you have the volume you desire. Usually, two passes give me enough volume to work with, especially if I am using a brush.
  4. Immediately spray each teased section with a good volumizing hairspray, such as Samy Fat Hair 0 Calories Amplifying Hair Spray.
  5. Repeat this process with each section of hair. When you are done with the teasing, spray hair all over again with hairspray.
  6. Using a brush or your hands, smooth the hair that is visible back in the direction of it’s growth. At this point, consider using a bit of spray gloss, like KMS Silk Sheen Gloss Spray.
  7. The rest is simple – leave it down, put it up in a glamourous ponytail, or pin up into a french twist or other updo.

Unruly winter hair? Sally Hershberger has some quick fixes

 anti-frizz, hair spray, Hair Styling, Sally Hershberger  Comments Off
Dec 132010
 

Winter is seriously hard on hair, isn’t it? In between the weather, heating systems, and overuse of heat and styling products, my hair often looks a mess by the time the winter is over. Sally Hershberger has some quick fixes that will make your hair much easier to deal with this winter.

Tame Flyaways

sally hershberger star shine

  • To fight flyaways caused by dry winter weather, rub unscented dryer sheets on your hair to neutralize the hair and calm flyaways. Be sure to use unscented sheets – scented ones don’t work, plus you don’t want your hair smelling like that all day long. Ew.
  • Apply a finishing spray such as Sally’s Star Shine for All Hair Types, on dry hair for a smooth finish while adding shine.

Add Volume

Sally Hershberger body fix

  • Apply a volumizing hairspray such as Body Fix to add lift and fullness to the hair. The unique formula allows you to control the fullness of a style with your fingertips. The more you work the product into hair, the more the volume.
  • Spray over dry hair and work with hands to build volume and shape lasting style without weighing down hair.
  • When blow drying hair, use a big round brush and start drying from the nape of the neck and working your way up to really build the style.

Repair Damaged Hair

sally hershberger hyper hydration super spray

  • Apply a moisturizing product such as Hyper Hydration Super Keratin Spray or Hyper Hydration Soft Touch Shaping Cream to lock in moisture without adding weight and to protect hair from thermal styling.
  • Apply the Super Keratin Spray to dry or damp hair and comb through from root to tip to seal split ends and lock in moisture.
  • Squeeze a small amount of the Shaping Cream into palms and and lightly run hands through dry hair for immediately smooth and frizz-free strands.

I’ve used all of Sally Hershberger’s products, and I’m very impressed with all of them. They are high quality without being overly expensive. I’ve had excellent results with the Body Fix to keep my hair big and full, and the Keratin Spray has been a big part of rehabing my hair since the bleach incident of 2010. Look for Sally’s products at HSN.com and ULTA Beauty.

The Pin Up Girl Kit will help you achieve that perfect holiday updo

 beauty, Hair Styling, Rsession  Comments Off
Dec 032010
 

rsession tools pin up girl kitWhen my hair was longer, I wore updos very often. It was an easy way to do something with hair that needed a wash or when I just didn’t have a lot of time to flat-iron or straighten it. I came across the Pin Up Girl kit by Rsession Tools.

The kit contains a teasing brush, a hair bun, duckbill clips, mini bobby pins, large bobby pins, large u-pins, mini u-pins, headbands, and snaps. Like I said, literally everything you need to create a fab updo.

The bun style was probably my go-to on a daily basis, because it was dead simple. Simply slick hair back into a high ponytail and fan out around the hair bun, then take a bungee and secure the ends and tuck in. Secure with bobby pins and spray with hairspray.

At any rate, if you have long hair and appreciate some volume and retro styles, the Pin Up Girl Kit is an absolute must have.

Available at Ricky’s NYC and ULTA Beauty.

InStyler up for grabs at the BeautyBloggers.org auction!

 Hair Styling, InStyler  Comments Off
Dec 022010
 

instylerI had so many plans to do a video on the InStyler and post it on YouTube. I kept playing with it and playing with it, trying to become an expert. But nothing I did was as good as the original training video, so I set it aside and tried to come up with another plan for it. I had an extra one for a giveaway, and thought I’d do it for my blogaversary or something. That didn’t work out, since I can’t remember when my blogaversary is anyway. So I donated it to the BeautyBloggers.org charity auction for Doctors Without Borders.

I really love my InStyler. It was the only styling tool I took with me this past Fashion Week in NYC, and that’s saying quite a bit. It does a great job of straightening and curling while keeping shine in tact, and it doesn’t take long to figure out. My only criticism is that you can only do a small amount of hair at one time – and this is probably only a problem for me, since I have masses of hair that must be straightened/curled/beat into submission. The best part about the InStyler is it’s versatility – it can be used to curl, straighten, flip, add volume, and just about anything you can imagine that requires a touch of heat.

The InStyler retails for about $99 at Ulta and other stores, but the starting bid on my brand new one in the package is only $28. Head on over to BeautyBloggers.org and take a look.

Product Review: Not Your Mother’s Hair Products – She’s a Tease hairspray and Beat the Heat shield spray

 beauty, Hair Care, hair spray, Hair Styling, Not Your Mother's Brands, shield spray  Comments Off
Nov 022010
 

not your mothers hair spray brand productsI’m addicted to hair products. There, I’ve admitted it, and now I can move forward. I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to truly break my addiction, but I can refine it into a well edited collection of the best products ever, right?

Okay, maybe I will always have hair products falling out of my bathroom closet, but there are some things I just can’t pass up, and one of those things is the chance to try out a new hairspray. I am an absolute hairspray connoisseur. I have years of experience with hairspray, all going back to my AquaNet in the pink and white aerosol can. I used it to make my 80s “wings” in my hair, and my technique included a blowdryer. Ever since then, I have searched for the ultimate hairspray, and have found some great ones. So when I was offered a chance to try Not Your Mother’s Hair Products, I jumped on it, of course.

Continue reading »

Product Review: Hyper Hydration Soft Touch Shaping Cream by Sally Hershberger

 anti-frizz, beauty, Hair Styling, Sally Hershberger  1 Response »
Oct 172010
 

hyper hydration soft touch shaping cream by sally hershbergerI’m sure I’ve mentioned it before, but my hair is in some rough condition. I’ve done a number on it this year – color stripping, bleaching, dying, and coloring it constantly. I’ve cut inches off and continue to try and moisturize it back into condition.

Honestly, it hasn’t been easy. I’ve found very few products that work well on seriously damaged hair, and even fewer that help fight frizz and help with dullness. What I’ve learned is that it takes a virtual assortment of products, not just one, that helps rehabilitate damaged hair. So, the question is does Hyper Hydration Soft Touch Shaping Cream fit in?

Continue reading »

Drugstore beauty finds: Tresemme Fresh Start No Frizz Creme

 anti-frizz, beauty, Drugstore Beauty Finds, Hair Styling, Tresemme  Comments Off
Oct 152010
 

tresemme fresh start no frizz cremeWhen I was in New York last month for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, I had the opportunity to not only have my hair styled by a Tresemme expert, but to try their new product from the Fresh Start line called TRESemme FreshStart No-Frizz Creme For All Hair Types. It is designed to compliment their line of “in between shampoos” products that help you get an extra day or two out of your blowout.

It’s not a dry shampoo per se, although it has many of the same benefits. It is formulated with mineral clay to absorb impurities and it has citrus extracts to help refresh hair.

Continue reading »

Backstage at New York Fashion Week: 3.1 Philip Lim and PHYTO

 2011, beauty, Fashion Week, Hair Styling, NYFW, Phyto, Spring and Summer  1 Response »
Sep 272010
 

retrodiva media covers mercedes benz new york fashion weekOdile Gilbert, key hairstylist for PHYTO, created a dande-lion updo for the recent 3.1 Philip Lim show at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week.

“The modern female dandy-stemming from individuality, balance and delicacy,” shares designer Phillip Lim. Lim adds, “The dande-lion is colorful in spirit, subtle in her way. She has evolved to exist in modern time, she has the strength of a lion and is subtly whimsical in her approach, she is the Dande-lion.”

Continue reading »

New York Fashion Week Adventures: a visit to ION Studio

 Hair Care, Hair Styling, Hair Stylists  Comments Off
Sep 142010
 

ion studio nycDuring my visit to Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week, I had the opportunity to stop by ION Studio downtown to have my hair done. My stylist, Cristina did an amazing job – this damaged mess on my head looked smooth and soft when I left.

We discussed how sulfates can be damaging to porous, curly hair, and she suggested that I avoid them as much as possible, even going without shampoo entirely for a while and seeing if that didn’t help. She went through my hair and painstakingly trimmed my ends do that the especially damaged parts were gone and I could get back to the business of styling it how I wished. Continue reading »

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