The Fashionable Housewife » Hairstyles

Spring Summer 2010 Hair Trends & Hairstyles from New York Fashion Week

Laney Knapp — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:00:09 +0000

Yigal Azrouel
Hair: Teddy Charles for TIGI
Inspiration: A modern take on sexy, natural hair. Teddy created an understated and natural-looking ponytail loop-bun with a silky, textured finish.

Get the Look:

· CATWALK by TIGI Catwalk Root Boost

· Love, Peace & the Planet by TIGI Control Freak Extra Extra Straight Hair Straightener

· TIGI Catwalk Work-It Hairspray

Preen by Thornton Bregazzi
Hair: Luke Hersheson for TIGI
Inspiration: Grunge meets glamour in a fresh, girly twist on the style of the early 90’s. This look is casual but chic, worn by the girl who always looks unique and put together, but in an understated way. A Kirby grip is worn almost as an accessory and the texture is soft and clean.

Get the Look:

· CATWALK by TIGI Catwalk Root Boost

· Rockaholic by TIGI Dirty Secret Dry Shampoo

· TIGI Catwalk Work-It Hairspray

Lacoste
Hair: Luke Hersheson for TIGI
Inspiration: A preppy, playful take on the 80’s style side ponytail. This look is textured and a little undone, but still fresh and sophisticated.

Get the Look:

· Rockaholic by TIGI Texturizing Spray Pomade

· TIGI Catwalk Root Boost

· CATWALK Your Highness by TIGI Thickening Gel Crème

· TIGI Catwalk Extra Strong Mousse

· TIGI Hard to Get Texturizing Paste

· TIGI S Factor Creamy Molding Wax

· S Factor by TIGI Spun Satin

Jill Stuart
Hair: Bob Recine for TIGI
Inspiration: Kate Moss leaving a nightclub at 3am. Sexy, disheveled and undone, this is a rock and roll girl after a night of dancing. This unstructured look is slightly teased at the top and has loads of volume.

Get the Look:

· TIGI Catwalk Root Boost

· CATWALK by TIGI Strong Hold Hairspray

Simply Smooth Brazilian Keratin Treatment Review – Straighten and Smooth Hair

The Fashionable Housewife — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:00:42 +0000

Peggy Loughlin

Yesterday, I got the Simply Smooth Brazilian Keratin Treatment from Peggy Loughlin, Master Hair Designer & Colorist, at Cassandra Salon and Spa in Nashua, NH.

The process took a little over 3^1/2 hours from start to finish. She started by shampooing my hair 4 times with Simply Smooth Pre-Clean Purifying Shampoo to strip all the dirt, conditioner build-up, etc off the hair. She then lightly towel dried my hair and went to work combing it out and then applying special Brazilian Keratin Treatment to my hair with a brush that looked just like a standard 8″ brush for applying hair color dye. This part of the process took about an hour.

When the treatment was completely distributed on every single strand of hair, she put my hair in a clip, put a bag over my hair and put me under the heat dryer chair for about 15 minutes. After that, she took my hair out and started the process of blow drying it straight with a brush on a very high heat setting. This part of the process took about an hour.

Once my hair was finally dried (I have very thick hair and it takes forever to dry!) she began the process of straightening my hair and sealing on the treatment with a very hot flat iron. She did VERY small sections of hair at a time and went over it several times to make sure the treatment was sealed onto each strand of hair. This part of the process took about an hour.

Then I was all done! This was the end result after all her hard work…

Click to Enlarge

I was so surprised that it really took the perm out!

Before I left, Peggy gave me instructions to not to put my hair up in a scrunchy, elastic, clip or anything for as long as possible, but a minimum of 4 days. You also can not wash your hair or get it wet for 4 days afterwards. This ensures that the treatment will fully settle into your hair and bond with it more permanently.

It’s highly recommended that you use the Simple Smooth shampoo & condition with Keratin in it to make sure you make the treatment last as long as possible. Simply Smooth products use the highest quality, purest keratin derived from botanicals and human hair. Using two type of quality keratin increases the performance of the treatment. The formula is also enriched with vitamins from plants, apple pulp, and vanilla. The Simply Smooth formula is gentle enough to allow for coloring and highlighting on the same day, and it will not alter lighter shades of color-treated hair.

Here’s some more pics of my hair after the treatment…

Click to Enlarge

And here is what my hair looked like the day after I got my perm in November 2009…

No, I don’t color my hair. That’s my natural color. The picture of the perm, is the most accurate to show my true color. The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is still in my hair in the above pictures and I think it made my hair appear more dull and darker in the pictures. Those pictures were also taken with a different camera…

I loved my hair curly and would have gotten it re-permed, but it’s inadvisable to get a perm (or any chemical hair treatments) while pregnant. My doctor said no way because of the chemicals and the salon said no way because the protein in your hair changes while you pregnant, plus your hair grows faster, and hair in most cases will not perm while you’re pregnant.

Since I didn’t want to be left to let my perm grow out for the next 6 months, I opted to try this treatment to take out my perm so I wouldn’t have to deal with a bad hair day from now until August. It’s safe, chemical free and promised to make my hair beautiful and manageable.

At first, the price scared me… a lot… but I heard so many happy reviews from other women who got the same treatment, that I decided to go for it anyway. And fore-go shopping for at least a month to be able to afford it…

It hasn’t even been 24 hours since I got the treatment so I can’t tell you from experience how long it will last, if it “really worked”, or anything like that.

Overall, the experience was very positive. It really didn’t seem like 3^1/2 and I was never left wondering why it was taking so long or when it was going to be over. Peggy was wonderful to talk to during the treatment and it made time fly by.

I mainly just wanted to document the experience thus far and answer some common questions…

Questions and Answers

Q: How long did it take?
A: About 3 1/2 hours (Average is 1-3 hours depending on the density and length of hair)

Q: How much did it cost?
A: My salon charges by the hour for this – $125/hr. My total came to $320 plus tip, plus products = $456 (OUCH!!!)

Q: How long does it last?
A: It’s supposed to last approximately 16 weeks (4 months) with the proper care.

Q: Does it work on curly hair or does hair have to be straight??
A: I had a perm in November and it seems to have worked great so far on mine!

Q: Is it like a perm?
A: NO! The Simply Smooth treatment is formaldehyde and chemical free smoothing treatment relaxes and revitalizes hair. It’s safer than traditional straightening treatments, but also isn’t as permanent.

Q: Is it safe?
A: Yes! This process does not chemically alter the hair and repairs damaged hair leaving it shiny and full of body.

If you have any other questions, please leave a comment and let me know!!!

Review of Cassandra Salon and Spa in Nashua, NH

The Fashionable Housewife — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:51:30 +0000

Hailed by both ‘Vogue’ and ‘Elle’ magazines as ‘the best color salon in the Northeast’, Cassandra Salon and Spa is the proud recipient of ‘Best of the Best, #1 Full Service Salon and Spa in New England’ for the 14th consecutive year! We are the region’s premier Goldwell color salon, achieving the status of “Titanium”, an honor bestowed on only the top 2% of salons in the U.S. As a member of the elite organization “Intercoiffure”, owner and artistic director, Sandra Katz and her talented team of salon and spa professionals celebrate twenty-nine years of continued commitment to providing only the finest services and products to address all of your beauty and wellness needs.

The hottest trends and latest innovations will always be found at Cassandra Salon and Spa! And that’s where I go.

Yesterday, I received services from Sonia Borges, a clinical skin care specialist and makeup artist. I got my legs waxed for the first time and it was a lot easier than I thought it would be! I go to Sonia monthly to get my eyebrows waxed and she finally convinced me to get my legs done. It was a perfect time to indulge in such an extensive service, since I’m going to Florida next week and will undoubtedly need to wear shorts. (And might I add, shaving your legs while pregnant is not the easiest thing in the world.)

I absolutely adore Sonia. She’s the sweetest girl you will ever meet, she makes sure you are totally comfortable with warm towels, soft music, and trickling water in the background. It truly is a pampering and self indulgent experience. Every woman needs to be spoiled every once in a while and Sonia definitely makes it happen.

I also go to Cassandra Salon and Spa to have my hair cut and styled by Jon MacDonald – a Master Hair Designer & Colorist and the Director of Operations. Truly a sweet and well educated man who is more than accommodating. I’ve been going to him for about 2 years now and I would never go to anyone else to have my hair cut. I totally trust him with my hair, he always cuts it well and leaves me feeling like a queen.

If you live anywhere near Nashua, NH you should definitely make time to visit Cassandra Salon and Spa. They do everything from manicures and pedicures to hair cuts and styles to massages and spa body treatments. Whether it’s a special occasion like your wedding or prom, or you just need to set aside an hour for you-time once a month, you should check out Cassandra Salon and Spa.

They are located on 225 Daniel Webster Highway in Nashua, NH. To make an appointment or ask questions about their services, call 603-888-3300. Visit their website www.cassandrasalon.com to read more about their services and salon professionals.

You can also become a fan of Cassandra Salon & Spa on Facebook and follow them on Twitter http://twitter.com/CassandraSalon

Getting Red Carpet Ready Hair: The Brazilian Blowout

Jaime Palmucci — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:58:55 +0000

I have a not-so-little secret: I hate my hair. In 23 years, I’ve grown to accept it (because really, what choice do I have?), but it’s an unruly pile of frizzy curls… and it has been ever since I was born.

Like every other girl in the world, I wanted what I couldn’t have: straight hair. Actually, I didn’t even want it to be straight; I just wanted it to be less curly. Of course, as I got older, it got even curlier.

I think the worst hair experience I ever had was when I was about ten. I went to a salon with my mother and asked for my hair to be cut to my shoulders with layers. She did just that… literally. I walked around looking like Bozo the clown for long enough to stop really trusting stylists. When I was around sixteen, I started cutting my own hair (and still do to this day) and dying it. I had tried before to tame down the curl – I’ve gotten relaxers, straightening treatments, even large-roller perms – but none of it did the trick.

Flash forward to now. My hair?

Still curly. And I’d pretty much come to accept that as a fact of life until Shareena Reardon came along. A stylist at the Eminently Hair Salon (and a great blogger in her own right!), Shareena was looking to get the Brazilian Blowout into the Aveda salon she’s at. She needed a test subject, and I was more than happy to oblige.

What, you ask, is the Brazilian Blowout? It’s a professional smoothing treatment out of Brazil (bet you could’ve guessed that one…) that softens curls and actually improves the health of your hair. PLUS, instead of giving you the look of overgrown roots like perms or chemical straighteners, the Brazilian Blowout fades out of your hair in 6-8 weeks, so you’re back to your natural hair style and texture.

My results were impressive to say the least. The entire experience wasn’t absolutely amazing (there is some burning in your eyes when they’re sealing the treatment into your hair), but at 90 minutes with the extreme results, it was worth every second.

Ready to see the final shot?

I was able to create this straight style in all of 15 minutes! To put that into perspective, it usually takes me TWO HOURS to get my hair totally straight!

The Brazilian Blowout costs anywhere from $250-600 (depending on the salon) and lasts six to eight weeks. I’ll probably get it again for a special occasion (like heading out to BlogHer in August), but because of the price, I probably won’t get it as often as I’d like.

Do you have unruly hair? Is the Brazilian Blowout something you’d be interested in trying? Have you gotten this treatment done already? Leave a comment (or email me at jaime@thefashionablehousewife.com) on the post and let us know all about it!

And, for those of you in the Denver area, I’d highly recommend checking out Shareena. She did fabulous work and left me feeling like a celeb (particularly after my celeb treatment)!

To see more of Jaime’s work, check out DenimDebutante.com.

Valentine’s Day Outfit Ideas

Jaime Palmucci — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:00:03 +0000

Just because I’m staying in for Valentine’s Day (unless the boyfriend surprises me!), doesn’t mean I don’t want to look my very best! Here are a couple of timeless options that will work in 2010 and far in the future.

1. Silky Tops and Dresses: I know that I have written about silk before, but it really is the perfect blend of sultry and sweet, great for a night out (or even a fun night in). Deep jewel tones and vibrant patterns accent classic silhouettes for a timelessly chic look.

Designs by JLee Silver

2. Statement Necklaces: I love simple and subdued, but sometimes it’s fun to really play dress-up… and there’s no better evening to find the feminine romantic in you than Valentine’s Day! Some of my favorite statement necklaces are actually at J. Crew!

Deco necklace from J. Crew

3. Kitten Heels: Not too high (but still enough to put a little kick in your step!), the kitten heel is a great way to add a little height and a lot of style to a look. I love this option from Target; it’s a great price and a fabulous, simple look!

4. Loose, Wavy Hair: I know that this isn’t an outfit addition, but your hair is an extremely important part of your outfit. Whether your hair is shorter or down to your lower back, a style like a loose braid or tousled waves is a great option.

Jessica Biel

The trick to looking sexy is confidence. I know I’m not the first person to say this to you (and if I am, let’s take this moment to really let that sink in), but the cherry on any outfit, no matter what you’re wearing or how much you spend, is knowing how positively amazing you look. And you do!

To see more of Jaime’s work, check out DenimDebutante.com.

Fall / Winter 2009 Hairstyles, Hair Trends, & Hair Cuts 2010

The Fashionable Housewife — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:00:24 +0000

Photo above from www.beautifulhairstyles.com

Not everyone cares about fashion and not everyone wears makeup, but one thing is for sure… everyone has HAIR! Fixing your hair is a part of your daily routine whether you like it or not. Whether you choose to throw it back in a ponytail or prep your hair for a fabulous hairdo with curlers and styling gel, you still have a “style”. If you’re looking for something new that is on par with this year’s hottest hair trends, then you’ve come to the right place!

Here at The Fashionable Housewife, we have details on each Hairstyle along with how-to’s and tips to get the best look for your face shape.

Scroll through the list of Hairstyles for Fall 2009 below…

Fall 2009 Hair Cut Trends:

Fall 2009 Hair Style Trends:

Off Center Chignons

Center Parted Hair

Straight and Sleek

Loose Curls and Waves

Braids

Ponytails

Fall 2009 Hair Color Trends:

Click on each hairstyle for more details.

Hair Tip Of The Day: Get the right haircut!

If losing weight isn’t on your agenda but you want to look thinner, you can actually appear slimmer, just by getting the right haircut!

“The most important factor in cutting and styling hair to appear thinner is to avoid roundness,” says celebrity hair stylist Marco Pelusi of Marco Pelusi Hair Studio in West Hollywood, Calif. Steer clear of bobs and short haircuts, which accentuate roundness. Instead, create slimming angles with deep side parts, texturized ends and layered cuts like these. Your cut should softly frame your face and neck and fall between your chin and shoulder with layers starting just under your cheekbones.

For more Fake Weight Loss Tips, click here.

If you had a Bob in Fall 2008, then you want to go with a Cropped Bob for Fall 2009. It’s more extreme than a standard Bob cut, giving you a new look without too much fuss. It’s not quite as short as a pixie crop, but it’s definitely shorter than a Bob.

The best example of a Cropped Bob is Paris Hilton’s recent hair cut (see top right pic) as well as Katie Holmes recent hairstyles. This is a very easy style to create and maintain with little prep time in the morning. Just wash, blow dry with a round brush, lightly spritz with hair spray and you’re good to go!

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In 2009, the hair trends are all about the extremes. When it comes to The Bob Hairstyle, it’s the real “play-it-safe” hair-doo for 2009. It’s the only hair cut that isn’t extreme in any one direction and it’s leftover from 2008 so you have a high risk of blending in with the crowd with a bob.

So we recommend going shorter and getting a Pixie Cut. It’s a low maintenance hairstyle that is perfect for busy women, moms, and gals that just want something more interesting than a standard bob cut.

Mix it up a bit is to have your stylist cut a few fringe style bangs for you. Play with texturizing sprays and waxes for added dimension.

Textured Crop: To achieve this easy-going hairstyle, ask your stylist for choppy layers. For optimal results, have your stylist use a razor for this part. This adds texture and dimension. Wash and air-dry and finish with a styling wax to enhance the layered pieces. The volume created by the short pieces on the top of your head will add height and beautiful volume. This helps balance a round face like Mandy Moore’s.

Messy Look: You can also go for a messier look like Agyness Deyn by simply shampooing, conditioning and apply mousse while hair is still wet. Then let air-dry. When dry, add a shine wax to the ends. And to get the messy look, grab hair at the crown and pull up after applying the wax. Spray lightly with a flexible hold hair spray like Aussie Opposites Attract Extra Strong + Touchable Feel Hairspray

Pixie Cut: Rub a large blob of sculpting serum or mousse in your hands and work through your hair. Continue brushing through with a one-inch ceramic round brush pulling hair forward toward the face. Let hair air-dry. Or you can blow-dry hair forward and accentuate the pieces with styling wax.

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Some of the styles highlighted above are as follows:

The best example of gorgeous long hair for Fall 2009 is Lindsay Lohan’s Summer haircut. Long waves, gently tousled back and flowing around the face is just so feminine and attractive.

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Three Basic Bobs:

Conservative Bob

Flipped Bob

Layered Bob

hair dryer with a diffuser

sprial curling iron

No matter which Bob you pick, keep it natural looking. Healthy, shiny hair is the most important thing. Your hair style is just secondary. Remember to mention to your stylist that you want it simple and easy to manage. That’s the Bob trademark!

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One of the hot hairstyles we saw on the Spring 2009 runway was off-center Chignons. These structured side buns starred at 3.1 Phillip Lim’s Spring 2009 show and promise an easy, updated look that you’ll want to rock this Fall as well.

A Chignon is just a fancy word for a bun. It’s very versatile and can be worn tight or loose for a totally feminine look. An easy hairstyle almost anyone can do, unless your hair is very short. If you do it properly, it will stay put for a long time, leaving you to worry about other more important things.

The Chignon is not a harsh “librarian” bun though. It’s softer and looser, which makes this a very feminine look. Once you know how to do it properly, you’ll be able to do it in seconds as you run out the door.

How To Make A Chignon

First put your hair in a ponytail, high or low will do. Then twist your hair, hold it like that, and wrap it around the base of your ponytail (where the elastic is). Then secure it with another elastic and a few bobby pins. We recommend getting small and large bobby pins for extra security.

Depending on the look you are going for, you can either do the initial ponytail tight, loose, or off-center. You can even spice it up a little and back-comb your hair with a little texurizing mousse and do everything loosely for a wonderfully feminine chignon.

You can even choose to use hair sticks or jewels to adorn your chignon bun with. If you are wearing this hair style for a wedding or an evening event, there are many fancy hair accessories you can use to dress it up.

Such accessories can be found at Claire’s. You can also get unique Hand Carved Hair Sticks or Elegant Hair Sticks for fancier occasions.

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Hairstylist Laurent Philippon chose a sleek center part for hair in the BCBG Spring 2009 show. This set a standard for long hair that will carry into Fall 2009. The centered part hairstyle was also seen in Gap’s Spring 2009 show.

An effortless and totally sexy hairstyle for anyone to wear. Perfect for work or evening, as it’s versatile. As long as you can tolerate your hair down and in your way, then this hairstyle shouldn’t be a problem for you at all!

How To Get The Look

Shampoo and condition hair and let towel dry for a few minutes with a Hair Turban. Then blow dry hair with a Round Brush to soften the effect of the center part so you don’t look too harsh. A slight wave to your hair will add a bit of movement and life.

Be sure to use a good quality hair dryer like FHI Heat Nano Weight pro 1800 Dryer from Bliss.com. (Using old hair dryers can burn your hair and damage it. It is wise to invest in a new one every couple years.)

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Whether your hair is short or long, straight sleek styles will be a huge thing this Fall 2009. If you aren’t accustomed to using a Straightening Iron, you better get one fast!

We recommend the HairArt Ceramic Straightening Iron and the Infiniti by Conair Ceramic Straightener.

I personally use the Infiniti by Conair Ceramic Styler, 1 3/4″ Straightener and I love it. No complaints. Very easy to use, and get my incredibly stubborn hair straight as an arrow every time.

You can also help your hair be sleek and straight with affordable products like Sexy Hair Concepts Straight Sexy Hair Smooth & Seal, Aerated Anti-Frizz Spray and Enjoy Straightener which is my personal favorite.

How To Get The Look

Start by washing your hair with a really good straightening like Sleek.look by Matrix Smoothing System Shampoo. Follow with a light conditioner like Sleek.look by Matrix Smoothing System Conditioner. Those are my personal favorites and they work really well for creating sleek, straight hair.
Towel dry for a few minutes with a Hair Turban
Apply a light layer of Enjoy Straightener or another high quality Hair Straightening Balm
Blow dry hair with a hair dryer on a low setting. Gently blow dry hair straight with a Round Brush.
When hair is dry, straighten out any wavy spots or stubborn areas with a quality Ceramic Straightening Iron
Finish look with a product that will add shine like Enjoy Shine & Smooth or Enjoy Shine Spray

To get sleek, straight hair, I prefer Enjoy Hair Care Products because they work the best. I’ve tried A LOT of different products over the years trying to get my frizzy mane to look straight and sexy, so I can tell you dozens of products that don’t work. There are very, very few that actually give me the look I’m going for and Enjoy Hair Care Products are one of the few companies I know of that really and truly works.

The Enjoy Shine Spray is probably my favorite product of all. I use it every single day after I style my hair. It adds just the right amount of healthy shine without looking greasy or heavy. It doesn’t make my hair dirty either. I just love it.

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We saw a lot of loose curls and waves in the Spring 2009 Runway shows and this Summer we saw several celebrities jump start this laid-back trend. Audrina Patridge is the one who really made this style a must-have for 2009 though. She makes this casual hairstyle smoking hot!

Create This Look:

You’ll need a curling iron like the Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Deep Wave Iron with a 2 1/4″ barrel. Hold the curling iron so that the end is pointing downward. Wrap a small 1 inch section of your hair around the barrel of the curling iron. Do not use the clamp, because you don’t want tight curls, just waves. Leave hair wrapped around barrel for 10-20 seconds or till your hair is slightly curled.

When you hair cools off, tug at the end of each ringlet till they loosen up and look naturally curly. Start with the underneath hairs in the back until you get the hang of this technique.

Lightly mist with a light hold hairspray like Aussie Sydney Smooth 12 Hour Anti-Humidity Hair Spray.

Another easy way to create this look and braid hair in 2 loose braids while hair is still damp and then let it dry overnight. Carefully take it out in the morning and don’t brush it out.

Finish look with a product that will add shine like Enjoy Shine & Smooth or Enjoy Shine Spray.

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The milkmaid braids trend almost made a hit in 2007 and then again in 2008, but never really took off and got really popular. It looks like this time around though, it’s going to catch on. Not only did we see this hairstyle in the Lela Rose spring 2009 show, but we’re seeing it on countless celebrities this yea.!

This cute flirtatious and sexy hair-do is easy and versatile. This style is also perfect for getting long hair up and out of your face for summer. With the promise of warm days ahead, you can start practicing now so you’ll have this style just right for once the weather gets nice! Check out the tips below on how to perfect this cute hairstyle.

How Do I Do It?

Shampoo and condition hair as normal
Towel dry lightly and apply a smoothing anti-friz serum to help prevent too many flyaways and control frizz.
Part hair down the center with a comb and blow dry hair straight with a hair dryer with a diffuser
Part hair again, creating two separate pieces on either side of your head.
Secure each side with no-slip elastics just behind your ears.
Braid each side, careful not to do it too loose or too tight.
Bring the right one up and over your head and secure with bobby pins
Continue by bringing the left braid up and over the top of your head, being careful to tuck the elastic underneath so it doesn’t show.
Secure both sides with bobby pins the best you can so it doesn’t come loose.
Spray all over with an anti-humidity hair spray
to reduce the amount of wispiness and frizz.

If you need some visual instructions on how to create this look, check out this video:

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Ponytails are such a classic style. Whether you throw your hair in one just to get it off your face to do housework, or if you carefully put each hair in place for a special event, a ponytail is almost always appropriate and surprisingly very versatile!

The Ponytail

1. Shampoo and condition your hair with a straightening shampoo and conditioner like Sunsilk Straight to Perfection Straighten-Up. Let hair dry in a towel for about 10 minutes.

2. Blow-dry your hair straight with a large round brush. Make sure you completely dry the hair around the crown of your head. When you are drying that area, blow from under the roots at an upward angle using the brush. You may want to tip your head upside down to do this.

3. Apply a texturizing mousse like Pantene Pro-V Texturize! Moussing Foam Wax and run it through your hair. Avoid the roots! Push your hair back away from your face and look up as you do this. Then slip hair into a semi-snug ponytail at the nape of your neck, slightly off to one side and then bring some of your tresses over your shoulder.

The Ponytail With Braid

1. Part hair on one side with a fine tooth comb.

2. French braid from hairline to the end or as far as you can go. Be sure to spritz with a strong hold hair spray as you go along.

3. Pull hair into a loose ponytail and secure with an elastic.

4. Wrap a small amount of hair around the elastic band and secure it with a bobby pin or small clip. Spray with hair spray for extra security.

Braid Without The Ponytail

1. Part hair on one side with a fine tooth comb.

2. French braid from hairline to the end or as far as you can go. Be sure to spritz with a strong hold hair spray as you go along.

3. Secure braid with a small elastic and leave hanging or pull it under the rest of your hair near the nape of your neck and secure with a bobby pin.

4. You may choose to leave your hair straight or curly with this style. It works best with fine to medium hair. Thick hair can get complicated, esp when french braiding.

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Changing your hair color is one of the easiest and most obvious ways to update or change your look for Fall 2009. It doesn’t require a long term commitment like a pixie cut or the bob.

This year, the color of choice has been peroxide blonde. Kate Moss really set the stage of this trend by appearing with freshly dyed peroxide blonde locks on the front cover of November’s ID magazine, thus making peroxide blonde a key hair color trend in 2009.

Click here to details on this trend.

Peroxide Blonde Hair

For those of you too squeamish to go for such a bold statement, you can try a rich red, a soft blonde, or a warm brunette shade.

Red Hair

We recommend a bold red like Clairol Haircolor in “Paint The Town Deep Red” 044 or Clairol Balsam Color Locking Creme System in “Dark Auburn” #613.

Blonde Hair

We recommend a soft blonde like Clairol Haircolor Blonde Bombshell in “Extra Light Blonde” #XL2 or Garnier Nutrisse Level 3 Permanent Creme Haircolor in “Macadamia” #90.

Brunette Hair

We recommend trying a warm brown like Garnier Nutrisse Level 3 Permanent Creme Haircolor in “Truffle” #50 or Clairol Balsam Color Locking Creme System in “Light Brown” #608.

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Pretty, Pretty Things for Your Hair

Amanda Davis — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:30:54 +0000

Ladies, please start putting things in your hair and on your head. It is so simple to get a little attention when you add that perfect hair accessory to your outfit. Sometimes shoes make the outfit? Other times its your hair.

Check out these awesome trinkets for your hair that are adorable and affordable!

Hippie Hair

Want this Modern hippie look? Double Braided Headwrap from Urban Outfitters, Online $10.00

Night Out Glitz

To achieve a real life version of this, check out this Crystal Hair Clip from Sam Moon, available online, $8.95

Romantic Day Wear

Braided Headband Trio from Target, in stores and online, $7.99

Attention Grabbing, Fierce Statement Hair

Whoa SJP! We aren’t going to a glitzy premiere on a normal day, but check out a more understated version. The Peacock Feather Headband from Forever 21 offers that pow without scaring the people at the office, in stores and online, $6.80

Other cute hair finds for all:

Netted Flower Headband from Urban Outfitter, online $9.99, Adorable Hinge Bow hair clips from Forever 21, available in black, white and red, online and instores, $1.80 , Pretty Floral Bobby Pins from Forever 21, online and instores, $5.80 Leather Flower Hairpin from Sam Moon, available in multiple colors online, $4.95, Linen Flower Headband from Urban Outfitters, online $14.99, Xhilaration Floral Headband, in Pink at Target.com and in stores, $7.99, Yesak Unisex Tartan Fedora, online at Overstock.com, $21.99, NYC Thrills Headband, in assorted colors Amazon.com, $1.79, Wide Brimmed Cherry Flop Beach Hat, on Amazon.com, $17.99

Summer Hair Trends 2009: The Ponytail

Amanda Davis — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:54:02 +0000

Man, I love ponytails. Don’t you? They are too easy to do and get your hair out of the way whilst exercising. They are also great when you are running around with the kids. Oh and they are cool when you need to wash your face… and that is all they are good for.

UNTRUE! Ponytails are so versatile, girls! Can I get a HOLLA for the Ponytails?! Take a look at these super stylin’ ponytail dos, no longer the don’ts.

Whether you are getting ready for work or planning a night out with your man, the ponytail can be dressed up, dressed down, dressed sideways, dressed anyways…

Some tips for your summer ponytail? Depending on the ponytail you want to achieve there are varying ways of executing the do. What kind of pony are you going to be today?

Simple, Sleek Pony

Simple and sleek, this ponytail is exactly that. A do that can go from day to night, with just a change of clothes. Wanna keep that do looking frizz free? Try Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Zero-Humidity Frizz Control, available in stores and at Sephora.com, $23.00

Textured, Tussled Pony

Whether your hair has natural texture or needs your help in that area, securing your volume into a ponytail can be a great solution to a night out hair dilemma. Pump up the volume with Matrix Amplify Volumizing Shampoo, available in stores and online, $18.00

High, Perfectly Placed Pony

Brushing your hair up into a high ponytail offers a spin on the classic, sleek pony. Want hold AND shine like Lucy’s? Bring it on home with Aussie Dual Personality Hi Hold + Hi Shine Hair Spray, available at your local drugstore and online, $3.99

Casual, Low Pony

Securing your ponytail close to the nape of your neck offers a casual yet still fashionable do for daily wear. Keep your locks soft and manageable with Just for Me, Soft & Beautiful Hair Milk Conditioner, available at your local pharmacy and online, $4.99

Kickin’ Party Pony

Partyin’ with your girls tonight? Dry your hair upside down and spray your favorite hair spray in to get some natural volume before you throw your hair in a ponytail. Spray and go with Aussie Sprunch Catch the Wave Hair Spray, available in stores and online, $3.50

Pony with Accessories

A casual style such as the ponytail can be glammed up with a simple ribbon, glitzy clip or stylin’ headband. Try hair accessories from the super affordable Sam Moon Trading Company out of Dallas TX. From hair elastics to hott headbands, they have an awesome selection for any gal on the go.

HAIR TIP: Switch the ponytails up! If you wear your hair at the top of your head one day, the next time try wearing it a few inches below your prior pony. This prevents consistent wear and tear with elastic bands and pulling of delicate strands at the very same base point of your ponytail. Repeated offender ponies at the very same place will weaken the roots and may lead to rips, tears and knotting in your gorgeous locks. Also, remember that hair is most delicate and prone to breakage when wet. If you wrap your hair into a pony while it’s still wet or damp, please use extra care.

Summer Hair Trends 2009: The Bob

Amanda Davis — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:00:28 +0000

Have you been itching to get a new hairdo? Want a change from the same ol’ same ol’? Why not the bob? The bob is in with variations for every hair type and every personality. From classic and sleek to edgy and rocker, the bob is more versatile than ever.

The Classic Bob

Simple and easy to maintain, the classic bob frames the face and gives its wearer a sophisticated look for any occasion.

The Layered Bob

Adding a little or a lot of texture to a bob can take the classic to a whole new level. Having your stylist use a razor on the bottom edges of your hair can give added texture and a few more options when styling. Lightly layered to heavily, the bob is the type of style that can handle them all.

The Edgy Bob

Layers galore, short and choppy, the Bob can be sassy with some edge.

The Lengthy Bob

For the ladies who are afraid to commit to a shorter style, never fear. The bob can be a great medium length do. Add some light layers or highlights to make the bob your own.

The Bob with bangs

From blunt bangs to tapered side bangs, the addition can really change the look of your style.

Looking to style your bob? Some great products are on the market for premium hold and with hair healthy attributes.

For added volume, try 1. L’ Oreal Vive Pro Glossy Style Glossy Volume Mousse, in stores or online, $4.99, 2. PUREOLOGY ROOTLIFT Spray Hair Mousse, in stores and online, $23.99 or the 3. John Freida Luxurious Volume Lavish Root Booster, available at your local pharmacy or online, $6.99.

To style your bob with hold to last all the live long day, try 1. Aussie Instant Freeze Sculpting Mousse, Maximum Hold available in store at your local pharmacy as well as online, $3.50, 2. bigsexyhair Spray and Play Harder Volumizing Hairspray, in stores and online, $17.99 or 3. got2b Smooth Operator Hairspray, available online and in stores, $5.99

Want to keep a healthy shine to your hair this summer ? 1. Try Color.Smart Nourishing Creme which acts as a leave-in conditioner that blocks harmful UV rays that can fade your hair’s color, online $14.00, 2. Africa’s Best Olive Oil Extra Virgin Hair Polish, in stores and online, $4.99 or for you and your kids to share try 3. Noodle and Boo Conditioning Hair Polish, available at Neiman Marcus or online, $12.00

Summer Hair Trends 2009- Beach Hair

Amanda Davis — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:10:04 +0000

Any Girl who spends a day at the beach is pretty sure what I am talking about when I say “the perfect beach hair”. Tussled and sexy, the look is perfect for summer days and nights. Celebrities always keep this style in fashion whether they are on the go and on the red carpet. Why shouldn’t mommies keep this in their bag of tricks as well? This has been the perfect hair do for all length hair for as long as ladies have been hitting the beach. Since it doesn’t take a long time to execute, it is perfect for the wife and mom on the go. The beauty is in the simplicity.

If cost is an important factor for you and you are feeling fanciful, it is relatively simple to make a spray from scratch that re-creates the effect of a “just from the beach” hair-do. All you will need is a travel spray bottle, ½ cup of water and 1 tablespoon of sea salt. If you want to be done, you can stop here. Voila! If you so choose, from this simple mixture, you can add jasmine oil or coconut oil which will add some fragrance. Remember: a drop of oil will go a long way and you don’t want to cancel out the effects of the mixture. In addition, a dollup of your favorite gel can provide a little extra hold in this mixture as well. Many options to achieve the beachin’ goal.

For optimal effect, add to damp hair and scrunch with the mixture until you can feel your hair starting to take to the texture/ dry.

If time is of the essence for you, there are products on the market that make it even easier by just spraying damp hair and using your hands to shape the tousled waves, from roots to ends, creating an at the beach look. Heading out to work or on the town? Let your hair air dry with your windows rolled down to add volume and save time. Ranging from as little as $5.00 to upwards of $30.00, there is a product available for every change purse and for every woman.

Suggestions for your summer hair: Try 1. Fekkai Summer Hair Marine Beach Waves available at Bath and Body Works, in store and online, $23.00, 2. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray, online $19.30, 3. Buffalo Beach House Sea Salt Hairspray, online $5.00 4. Beach Spray by Alterna, online, $26.00 5. David Babaii for WildAid Bohemian Beach Spray, online, $11.95.
6. Coiff Oceanique Tousled Wave Spray, online at Sephora.com and in stores, $23.00