New Year, Shape your New You!

2013 has begun!  Let this year's resolution start with fabulous hair!  I know that all of you are already fabulous.  But sometimes, the occasional falling off the "I am dedicating more time to style my hair in the morning" wagon happens and the ponytail emerges.  We are human!  We need some inspiration! 

If you are wanting a fresh start for 2013, look for a fresh new haircut!  One of the best ways to put yourself in a great mood is the feeling of soft, clean hair after a haircut!  You don't necessarily have to change your haircut, just free yourself of those nasty dead ends.  Dead ends just prevent you from the ability of styling your hair to its best potential.  A haircut will add life back into your hair, and in turn, making it easier for you to achieve the desired style you are looking for!  While you are in the chair, talk to your stylist about different ways that you can style your cut.  Humans are creatures of habit!  Sometimes just switching your part or adding bangs can add just the change you are looking for!   

Still need a little inspiration???  You need to determine your face shape!  This is the most effective way that will help you find the best hairstyle for you! Then break out those magazines, search Pinterest and google and start hunting for a new hairstyle!
photo courtesy of  http://www.tips-tricks.net/beauty-tips/haircuts-and-face-shapes-2/

The first step in finding the perfect haircut for you is to determine your face shape.  Knowing your face shape is critical in discovering what haircut is going to look best on you.  Don't know your face shape?  The easiest way to find out is to pull your hair back into a ponytail and draw and imaginary line from each point on your face.  I am going to highlight some of the most common face shapes and give my suggestions on the best styles below.

Oval Face Shape
This face shape is viewed by many as the "Ideal" face shape.  Lucky you, it is one of the most versatile of the face shapes.  Think of Jennifer Aniston or Kristin Cavallari.  Consider your facial features when looking at hairstyles.  If you have a high forehead, adding bangs will help soften this feature.  Have a strong jaw line?  You can soften the jaw line by creating a face frame.  Shorter haircuts are also very flattering on oval face shapes. 




Square Face Shape
This is a strong face shape.  You really want to consider with any face shape what your best features are, and what you want to draw attention away from. Whether you wear your hair short or long, layers is always the best way to shape your hair.  If you are looking to soften this shape, parting your hair in the middle will play down your forehead.  Prefer a side part? Add a soft side swept bang!  Adding this angle will draw the attention to your eyes and soften your jaw line like in this picture of Olivia Wilde.  If you like a shorter hairstyle.  Than a longer bob that is shorter in the back and angled forward in the front will be super flattering!




Heart Face Shape
Like Reese Witherspoon, if you are blessed with high cheekbones and a more pointed jaw line, you are considered to have a heart shaped face.  Styles that are best for this face shape are longer layers to help fill in the jaw area.  If you have a larger forehead, having soft swept bangs can really help downplay that area.  Stay away from straight across bangs-this will only make your face seem smaller.  Bobs that are layered around the chin can also be super flattering.  For this face shape, adding height and volume can really help balance you out!





Round Face Shape
Look for hair styles that offer less volume at the sides as to minimize full cheeks.  If you have long hair, it is best to have your layers starting at your ear or lower.  Shorter bobs look will look their best if the length is a few inches below your chin like in this picture of Jennifer Goodwin.  Having a side part can give your face shape.  If you have or want bangs with this shape, it is best to have side swept bangs to create a more angled look.


If you are still not quite sure what your face shape is, this means that you could be a combination of shapes!  I love this guide posted by The Beauty Department.  It is a step by step on how to figure out what your face shape is: http://thebeautydepartment.com/hair/page/2/ 

I hope this inspires you to love your hair and have your best hair day yet!

Happy New Year!

 

Get Retro! Create beautiful old Hollywood Glamour with this easy how to video!

 

If there is one thing that a girl should know how to do for their hair, it is to create this glamorous old hollywood look!  This 40's throw back look can really make you stand out at a holiday party, date night or any social gathering!

What you will need:
1. Curling iron-I used a 1 1/4 inch on my hair.  you can use a bigger or smaller iron to create a larger or smaller curl.

2. Hairspray-in the video I used Paul Mitchell Extra Body Hairspray.  This gives a medium hold.

3. Brush

4. Comb

5. Clip

What to do:
Step 1:  Create a deep side part
Step 2:  Start with a section below your ear.  You want to decide which direction you want your curls to go.  Each curl needs to be done in the exact same direction.  Each section of hair should be no larger than 2 inches.
Step 3:  Release hair and repeat the same curling technique for the remaining sections.
Step 4: Release the mohawk section.  Start from the back and move towards the front making sure that all curls are in the same direction.  Leave out a section in the front for your bangs.
Step 5: Decide whether you want your bangs to blend with the rest of the curls or if you want them to be seperate like I have in the video.  If you want them to blend, then curl them in the same direction as the rest of the curls.  If you want to have them seperate, curl your bangs under in the opposite direction from the rest of the curls.
Step 6:  Brush your hair from roots to ends.  You will notice that the curls will start to form together in a perfect "S" pattern.
Step 7: Re-curl any pieces that are striaght or need to be redone.  You can also curl your ends under to finish the look.
Step 8: Spray hairspray to hold the look!

In a hurry? Try this perfectly imperfect, style!

This weeks post was inspired by the holidays.  Rather, the preparation for the holidays!  With so much on your to-do list, doing your hair is the one thing that should not take up time in your morning.  This hair style is quick, easy and fabulous!

This style works best on curly or curled hair and is a great way to get an additional day out of your shampoo!  First day, blow dry.  Second day, curled and third day, messy bun! 

The key to this style is to keep the hair loose in your hands while you are pinning it up.  The tighter you pin the hair, you lose the softness of the style.  If you are attempting this look with straight hair, take a curling iron or smoothing iron to add some bend in your hair.  It will take you a little extra time.  However, you will make up for it in ease of pinning your hair up. 

All you need is a few bobby pins and some hairspray!

How to create soft loose curls

Soft curls are in this season...honestly, it is a look that is in for all seasons!  With the holidays upon us, adding curls is an easy style that you can create at home to dress up your hair for your holiday party! 

Adding curl to you hair is a great way to add body and style.  This style is best on second day hair.  The reason for this is that by the second day you have product build up from the previous day adding  texture to your hair.  Texture is important so that it will allow your hair to curl easier and hold the curl longer. 

You can create this look after washing.  However, it will require more products to achieve your desired curl.  Also, if you have stubborn hair that just does not like to curl, using these products will help!  You want to use a styling mouse or spray when blowing out your hair.  When curling, you will need hairspray, a heat protectant and in some extremely stubborn cases a spray wax.  This will add texture and product that you need to curl. 

This is a simple way to add some bounce into your hair!

 

Great Bun Styles For Fall!

This week I wanted to jump into something a little different and offer some video tutorials on how to create different bun styles!

Bun hairstyles are in this season!  With so many different ways to style, it works for just about any hair texture and length!  Bun hairstyles can be super glamorous or casual and help you to always look your best.  With the holidays right around the corner, buns can give you the perfect holiday style that you are looking for.

I have a selection of super easy buns for you to try out!

The essentials: Bobby pins, Hair tie, Brush, Wide tooth comb, and Hair spray

 

3 in 1 shampoo conditioner body wash- is it a do or don't?

 

This weeks blog is brought to you from your gym's locker room.  I had finished my work out at the  gym the other day and escaped into the women's locker room to shower and get ready for my day.  I always bring my travel size shampoo, conditioner and body wash with me to avoid the dreadful 3 in 1 shampoo, conditioner and body wash that is provided by the gym.  This is something that I have always done.  I would NEVER consider using the questionable blue liquid that you pump out of some contraption in the locker room shower on my hair...noone would do this right?!  Wrong!  I was styling my hair when this women next to me started to complain about the cheap 3 in1 shampoo conditioner and body wash that the gym provides.  Yikes!  I really tried not to make a face to show how horrified that I was that this woman had actually used the unidentifiable blue liquid.  She continued saying how dry her hair felt, how itchy her skin was and how her hair was not syling the way she wanted it to.  No kidding!  Of course you are a hot mess of itchy skin and dry hair!  This is a woman that I have seen at the gym before.  However, I have not met her or had any interaction with her until then so she had no idea that I was a hair stylist.  She looked to me to offer sympathy for her in which I replied, "You are better off rinsing your hair with water rather than damage it by using the gym's products."

The products offered by many gym's are most likely going to be the cheapest money can find.  Therefore, you should steer clear of all of them! A big don't!  I have sensitive skin, especially now that the seasons are changing and my skin is getting dryer.  The 3 in 1 wash at these gyms are going to be mostly diluted with water and offer no moisture for your hair or skin whatsoever.  They can strip your hair of color and moisture. Save yourself from the trouble of fixing the damage to your hair later! You really are better off simply rinsing your hair with water if you have no products of your own. 

Now, there are some 3 in 1 products out there that offer better results for your hair if you must have something that is fast or to use for a post workout rinse.  For the men, Paul Mitchell has their men's line Mitch, that offers a 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner called Double Hitter.  Crew also offers a 3 in 1 for men.  For the ladies, Philosophy has several 3 in 1 options are available in a variety of flavors. 

Personally, I am not a fan of 3 in 1 quick solutions for women.  Why?  They are going to do more damage than good to your hair.  I am a firm believer in using a shampoo and conditioner that is going to work for your unique hair type, not a "one size fits all" wash.  Make it easy on yourself!  Set up a shower bag that you can easily take to the gym with you.  Most professional products offer travel sizes or you can purchase smaller bottles at the drugstore to put your shampoo and conditioner in.  Remember, shampoo and conditioner can make or break your good hair day! 

Photo is from Home Depot.com

Fall into Color!

Color is everywhere this season!  There are many options available so that you can incorporate these bold colors into your everyday style.  Knowing what options are available will help you decide what is going to work for your lifestyle.

If you are looking for a permanent color change, talk to your hair stylist about what options are available to you.  You want to call your stylist ahead of time to consult with them about what color you want to add and where.  Your stylist can guide you in the right direction and help answer questions.  In some cases, your stylist may need to add additional time to your service in order to prepare your hair for the brighter colors.  You also want to get educated as to the maintenance of the color.  This type of color can fade and will require additional visits to the salon to have that color refreshed.  Another thing to consider with this option is that sometimes the color pigment can be hard to get out of your hair so you may be having to love your color for a while!

Looking for less commitment?!  Extensions are a great and inexpensive way to incorporate color!  You can find color extensions at most beauty supply stores such as Sally's.  You want to make sure that you are purchasing 100% human hair extensions.  This way you can curl and/or smooth your extensions as you like.  You will be disappointed if you get home and find out that your extensions have melted away when you style them with hot tools to blend in with your hair.  The extensions usually come in pairs.  Extensions allow you to wear as many colors as you like for as long as you like.

Chalking is a fun new way to add pops of color and is available in many different colors.  Chalking allows you to have control over where you want to use the color.  You can apply the chalk to any section of your hair after your hair is styled.  The most popular application is to add color to the tips of your hair.  Christina Aguilera  recently had this style during one of the episodes of The Voice.  Chalking lasts until you wash it out.  Super easy and super fun!

If you are unsure about this color trend, start out small by using extensions or chalking. Stay with color tones that blend with your hair color instead of contrasting.  For example, if you are a blonde, maybe select yellow instead of pink extensions.  Using extensions will allow you the most flexibility and no commitment as you can easily add or take out the extensions.