Category Archives: Hair

Clip In A Whole New Do

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I had bangs once. I loved how they added an instant polish to my look, like me just more grown up. This love lasted about a week then I was over the constant feeling of having hair in my face. Here I am 2 years ago, straight from the cut and blissfully un-annoyed by the hair tickling me senseless.

When I saw this pic of Kim Kardashian a while back, I thought maybe I could re-visit my bang glory days. And why not? I like how they looked and I’m off Botox (again), 2 birds one stone right?

Kimmy K workin the bangs

I might have to enlist the help of Jessica Simpson to help ease my sudden craving for fringe. I’ve heard fantastic things about her Clip-In Bangs, they’re synthetic but can take heat styling and the side pieces blend the bangs into the hair more naturally than if it were just the bangs alone.

It’s a little exciting that I’m just $26 away from rockin a whole new do that I can yank out as quickly as I clip them in.

Check out her bangs online at QVC.com right HERE

Aveda at Christian Siriano Spring 2011 Show for Fashion Week New York

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Christian Siriano’s Spring 2011 collection was a huge hit at New York Fashion Week, but  gorgeous clothes aside Aveda’s creation of what they call a ‘modern bun’ was equally mesmerizing. Could you re-create this new twist on the classic?

Christian Siriano

I used to be this good at crimping too.

Squish your bun together

Blow your hair back
Ta da!

How to get the look:

1. Brush hair with a Mason Pearson brush. Pull the top section of hair — from the hairline to the crown — and clip it out of the way.

2. Comb the remaining hair back into a tight, high ponytail and secure with a bungee elastic. Spray with Aveda Control Force™ Firm Hold Hair Spray for hold.

3. Spray Aveda Brilliant™ Spray-On Shine directly onto the bristles of a kabuki-style Aveda Uruku Bronzing Brush. “Paint” the sides of hair with the Uruku Bronzing Brush for shine.

4. Take the ponytail and braid it. Then twist the braid into a bun, securing to the head with bobby pins. Spray with Aveda Control Force™ Firm Hold Hair Spray for ultra-strong hold.

5. Remove the clip from the remaining top section of hair and comb to the crown. Working with small portions of hair (approximately one inch) at a time, use a micro-crimping iron to add texture from the crown to ends.

6. Brush the hair with a Mason Pearson brush to loosen the crimp. Gently pull the hair over the bun and secure at the base with hair pins. Spray with Aveda Control Force™ Firm Hold Hair Spray.

7. Pull a few pieces of hair out of the bun with fingers for extra texture. Set the look with Aveda Control Force™ Firm Hold Hair Spray.

You’ll find the rest of the photos from this and other FWNY shows on Aveda’s Facebook right HERE

Totally In Love With Cutler Specialist Cleansing + Conditioner

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**UPDATE** I LOVED how it made my hair look and feel, but after several weeks of uses my hair has started falling out in clumps. It’s all over the house. This has never happened before with anything I’ve tried and it’s the only new thing I’ve been using. I’ve read comments by customers on the HSN site and also from those who’ve tried Wen (a similar product) who have complained of the same thing so who knows if it’s just the nature of how it’s designed. I’ve ditched using it for now and am back on the hunt for something that can make my hair look good and stay on my head…

You know I’m not a fan of making definitive statements mostly because I never know when my new favorite whatever is just around the corner because then my old favorite whatever becomes obsolete. I try so many things – some I like, a couple I love, and then there are those special few that leave a lasting impression and turn me into a loyal customer. Cutler’s Cleansing + Conditioner is one such product.

Remember when I met Rodney Cutler at the 2010 Grammy Awards gifting suite back in February? He told me then that they were launching a shampoo and conditioner all-in-one (similar to Wen) for HSN and I’ve been looking forward to trying it ever since. I got it, I tried it, I’m in love. I’m literally so giddy about it that that my mind is all a flutter, so I’ll try to break down why exactly I love it as coherently as I can.

It gets your hair super clean

Don’t let the non-foaming thing scare you away, that’s the main reason my hair and scalp are so super clean. When I’m lathering up my locks using traditional shampoo, it’s hard to get my fingers through the dense foam to really scrub my scalp clean, but this formula lightly coats the strands and basically relaxes wet hair so it becomes soft enough to allow your fingers through to give your scalp the royal treatment.

It conditions without being heavy

If I over-condition I’m a grease ball but if I under-condition I end up yanking my hair out just trying to comb through it when it’s wet. Striking the perfect moisture balance isn’t easy, I can never predict how it will come out after the water is shut off. Cleansing + Conditioner knocked my socks off with its ability to bring my hair to a perfect moisture level that didn’t involve coating the ends in a heavy conditioner that can weigh hair down, which is why…

It makes your hair shiny and bouncy

My hair is so shiny it looks like it was freshly colored (even though I’m long overdue) which isn’t easy for blonde hair. I didn’t add the usual shine serum after styling, I didn’t need to add anything in fact. My hair felt lighter somehow and it fell easily into place and held that look for days until my next wash.

Did I mention it smells amazing? Really clean and fresh but not perfumed or sweet.

I’m using this one with Olive Oil for dry damaged hair, but there’s also this one for fine, lifeless hair. Both formulas are made without parabens and sulfates so they’re extra gentle and great for color treated hair.

It really is a fantastic and unique product – it prompted me to ditch the 5 shampoos and 2 conditioners that I had on a regular rotation in my shower. I really, really love it and think that it’s worth your money. Not something I say often but something I truly mean in this case.

Are you as in love with Cutler Specialist Cleansing + Conditioner as me? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Mmm… Products That Work as Great as They Smell

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Admit it, you’ve bought something based on scent alone- we all have. I love the idea of leaving behind a slight, sweet trail whenever I hug someone or walk by which is always better than a full-on blast of perfume. Here are a few things that I think smell amazing enough to buy on scent alone (good thing they work well too.)

Philosophy’s wildly popular Pure Grace fragrance is now available in a moisturizing Buffing Body Wash. It’s a cleanser with tiny grains that exfoliate your skin so gently that you can use it daily. Pure Grace captures the smell of clean like just-washed cotton sheets, and soap and water, it’s the ultimate non-fragrance fragrance. Using it all over in a body wash leaves just enough of the scent behind so your skin smells fresh and clean all day long.

Hair absorbs and holds scents really well, I can usually tell what someone is using when I hug them or if they flip their hair near me. Styling products are the last thing we use on our hair so their scent will stay the longest. I not only love the light, whipped texture of S-Factor’s Spun Satin which can be used to style wet or dry hair, but the smell of it literally makes my mouth water. It’s sort of a less-than fruity scent with a hint of sweet something that reminds me of everything I loved the smell of when I was a kid.

There are so many multi-use products out there now, which is great news for both your wallet and bathroom counters. Sothys Soins Soleil Cellu-guard Iridescent Tanning Gel creates a luminous golden tan with SPF 8 and skin soothing ingredients to fight free-radical damage. It doesn’t smell anything like a self-tanner, in fact it smells like the beach. It has a little bit of a coconut, pineapple thing going on like a more delicate version of tanning oils with a smidgen of old school Banana Boat sunscreen scent. trust me, it sounds weird but it’s a combination that just works. Every time you smell your skin, you’ll be reminded of trips to the beach.

Stumble It!

Silk’n SensEpil for Permanent Hair Removal

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I read somewhere that women will spend over $10,000 and two months removing hair from their bodies over the course of their lives. All women agree that shaving is a total hassle, and none of us enjoy doing it, but letting body hair grow into its natural state á la Mo’Nique isn’t (for me anyway) an option.

You can opt to have hair removed via laser treatment at a medi-spa where it would probably run you close to $1,000, or you could use a SensEpil and do it yourself for a lot less. Silk’n SensEpil uses an FDA cleared laser hair removal technology to create a safe, easy-to-use home system so you can conveniently remove unwanted hair in your own home.

You’ll see a big difference in the amount of hair re-growth after the second treatment (each treatment should be done 2 weeks apart), but after the 4th time is when it really kicks in so you might be able to toss out your razor. Since it’s all yours, you can use it from time to time after your initial treatments if you need to (because of hormonal changes etc.), but the results are permanent.

So let’s talk price. It’s $500 which is half the average amount you’d pay if you had it done in a spa, but it’s still $500. I’d recommend going in on it with a friend or two and sharing. Either trade off custody of the machine, or have a bi-monthly lunch and laser party where you can all take turns using it which would also serve as a good reminder of when it’s time for another treatment (not to mention a good excuse to get together).

All said, it’s a good deal and a decidedly impressive way to permanently remove hair. I’ve noticed a big improvement in just a few treatments and the reviews I’ve read are largely positive. Do some checking and see if it would work on you but remember, as with any laser hair removal, it doesn’t work on darker skin tones because the laser works by ‘seeing’ a difference in color between the hair and the skin.

You’ll find more information on Silk’n SensEpil HERE

Stumble It!

Shu Uemura Color and Skin Lines to Exit the U.S., Hair Division to Remain

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‘Bummed out’ doesn’t come close to describing how I felt when I read this article below in WWD last week about Shu Uemura closing its U.S. opperations. I recently fell in love with their UV Under Base Fluid but now my usage has come to a grinding halt, an odd tactic I sometimes pull so I don’t run out of something I love and fear I won’t see again. It’s on Mona Lisa status where it’s to be admired and not touched.

Don’t even get me started on their iconic Lash Curler which I can’t imagine being without both personally as well as in my kit. It’s a best-seller that I’d love to see remain at least in Sephora stores.

I’m being a touch dramatic of course since you’ll still be able to get their products online, but I’d suggest checking them out in store now while they’re still around so you have an idea about what colors look best on you.

I was relieved to hear that their L’Oreal-owned hair division is to remain available in the U.S. at top tier salons. I can’t imagine how many unhappy women there would be if they weren’t able to pick up their Essence Absolute oil for hair. It’s a  multi-use oil that nourishes and adds tons of shine-  it has also managed to gain a huge celebrity following. Look for new additions to the hair line this month and throughout the year.

Stumble It!