Winter Hair Tips

Tips and looks to brighten the holiday seasonfrom Amanda Jenkins, Master Stylist at ARROJO NYC:

For long hair:

· Wear the hair up and classy, such as tying it hair back in a low knot. This is very sexy and sophisticated, as long as the knot is tied low—it should not be high.

· Add styling gel to wet hair and diffuse it, letting the hair fall in loose waves over your shoulders for a more romantic look.

For short hair:

· Add drama by creating a deep side part, keeping in mind to not let you bangs fall in your face.

· Scarf it. Festive scarves worn 70's style is fashionable and adorable.

· Using a curling iron, set hair for a look reminiscent of “Dynasty”.

And since a change in season always means changes for our hair, Amanda has some tips on keeping hair healthy and vibrant all winter long:

· Be sure to deep condition at least once a week to repair hair that can get dried out from the cold weather and indoor heat.

· Brighten up the winter season by taking your color a shade darker or brighter.

Perfect Hair for the Holidays

MODERN TAKE ON CHIGNON CHIC

The inspiration for this glamorous updo created by celebrity stylist Creighton Bowman of Exclusive Artists Management begins with Grace Kelly elegance. The up-to-the-minute twist: giving the classic chignon a beachy, textured finish.

Instructions from Creighton Bowman:

CREATE:

« First, I prepped hair with René Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo for extra volume.

« Next, I created three sections, lifted and pinned top two sections of hair at top of head and pulled lower section back into a ponytail. The ponytail is secured above the nape of the neck with an elastic band.

« Then I unpinned top sections and lightly back-combed hair, one section at a time, starting with the section at the back of the head.

« After wrapping ends of back section around the ponytail, I sprayed the ponytail with René Furterer new Vegetal Finishing Spray.

« I continued winding ends of back section around the ponytail, blending the two to create a full chignon.

« Next, I unpinned the front section. After lightly back-combing the section, I brushed it back, working ends into a chignon and pinning securely.

FINISH:

« To smooth flyaways, I applied René Furterer new Modeling Paste to palms of hands and ran palms lightly over hair.

« For long-lasting natural hold, I misted hair with René Furterer new Vegetal Finishing Spray.

Pureology-Colour Stylist Fortifying Heat Spray

My hair is always really dry during the winter and I usually resort to putting it in a ponytail by the end of the day to get rid of that static-y feeling. This dryness is probably a result of over-using my hair dryer, washing every day, etc...but as most of you fine haired people out there know, hair can start to feel a little greasy after only a day so it's almost necessary! Since I have started using Pureology's Fortifying Heat Spray, however, I have been able to resist putting my hair up for a lot longer--usually the whole day! So far I have loved all Pureology products I have tried and the Heat Spray is one I will definitely keep on my shelf for a long time!

Go!Go!Girl 18" Layered Clip-In Extension

This hair extension (Go!Go!Girl 18" Layered Clip-In Extension) from HairUWear may not have found a happy home on my head, had I not had a very talented friend at hand! I find styling my own hair to be somewhat difficult and typically need help from a friend or stylist in order to create a nice look for special occasions, but even my go-to friend found this extension quite challenging to clip in. My hair is thick, yet fine, and so she ended up having to rat some of my hair to keep the clips from falling out. Once in place, however, I found I really did enjoy the overall look it created! I thought the extension looked very realistic and blended with my real hair very nicely. The look this extension created ALMOST made up for the difficulty of putting it in.

To find more information or to order this product click here.

Red Carpet 101: Christina Ricci

We love CR's hair--will be copying this look!

RENÉ FURTERER MASTER CLASS: RED CARPET 101

WITH CREIGHTON BOWMAN & JACQUELINE BUSH

Peter Som’s corseted frock with interlocking lace daisies was the inspiration for Creighton Bowman of Exclusive Artists Management for his modern take on a nifty 50s ponytail for actress Christina Ricci’s red carpet moment at the 7th Annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards. What gives the look its up-to-the-minute edge: heavy, cheek-to-cheek, face-framing bangs.

« To shape Christina’s “fringe,” I used a point-cut haircutting technique on blown-out dry bangs. This gives bangs slightly rounded curves—a quintessential 50s look—while keeping them slightly jagged at the ends.

« Next, to build volume, I applied René Furterer Vegetal Mousse on towel-dried hair, and then did a blow-out with my Babyliss dryer.

« To style bangs, I sprayed a mini Mason Pearson flat brush with René Furterer Finishing Spray, and then used the brush to create a soft bend in the bangs, enhancing the rounded shape. After styling, I gave bangs a final spritz of Finishing Spray.

« Before gathering hair into a ponytail, I did a loose curling iron set, winding large sections around a 1 ½-inch-wide rod. This is just enough to give the ponytail a soft, sensuous curl.

« Next, hair was secured into a high ponytail. I back-combed the ponytail with a Mason Pearson “Junior” Brush and then smoothed over back-combing to create that 50s curl in the ponytail. The finishing touch: René Furterer Glossing Spray for shine.

Blow Mane Tame Soft Pomade

From RENEE:

I tend to be a little hesitant about messing with pomades when my hair is longer. I find them fun and useful with my shorter styles but easily messy and greasy with my longer locks. This however, is a nice lightweight pomade that I found easier to control and was more likely to use to finish of my blown out style. I have fine hair so I have to be careful to not apply to much and I still found I needed to use another anti-frizz serum to get the final smooth look I was hoping for. But definitely my favorite pomade thus far.

Tea Tree Lemon Sage Thickening Spray (by Paul Mitchell)

From RENEE:

I have fine, curly hair so was curious to see what this lightweight style booster could do. While the lemon sage aroma is zesty and refreshing, I honestly didn't find much improvement after using the product. In fact, I think it may have dried out my hair a bit too much so I stopped using it. So I would not personally recommend this product for those looking for assistance with their thinner locks.

Surya Entensive Treatment Restorative Mask

From RENEE:

Oh my gosh, this stuff is amazing. I have fine, curly hair and so it is often quite dry and frizzy and this sumptuous creamy parabens-free conditioner leaves it ridiculously soft and supple. Seriously, after I use it I find myself constantly stroking my own hair. It amplifies the shine and color in my hair and is well worth the 15 minutes needed for deep treatment. I highly recommend this product and plan to keep myself well stocked.

Mad Men lives on...your head

While you’re out there scoring the perfect cocktail dress and sweater set, don’t forget to revive your hair color! Celebrity hairstylist Umberto Savone makes it as easy as 1-2-3 to achieve the Blonde Bombshell (Betty Draper) or Radiant Redhead (Joan Holloway) look with his cutting-edge line of foolproof professional at-home hair color, U Color by Umberto Beverly Hills!

With shades like Natural Light Blonde, Mid Blonde, Red Mahogany Brilliant and Red Cayenne these vibrant, demi-permanent hair colors will be sure to turn heads!

U Color by Umberto Beverly Hills retails for $12.00 and is available for purchase at Ulta stores nationwide and Ulta.com

U Color is easy to use as well as coloring beautifully, check our previous review.

Pureology November Giveaway

Visit http://pureology.com/discover/styling and win one of the following miniature products of your choice:

• FORTIFYING HEAT SPRAY protective primer

Thermo-protective spray provides mild hold with Xylose Sugar. Primes and protects hair up to 400ºF when using thermal styling tools.

• ANTI SPLIT BLOWDRY styling cream

Lightweight humidity resistant cream that provides mild hold and adds moisture and reflective shine for an effortless blow-dry.

• NOURISHING NECTAR sculpting gel

Conditioning gel formula shapes and conditions hair with structure and shine while giving medium hold.

• CUTICLE POLISHER shine serum

Lightweight cream-to-serum formula seals and smoothes hair with intense shine and mild hold.

• STRENGTHENING CONTROL zero dulling hairspray

Non-dulling finishing spray with a fast-drying formula that shapes hair with flexible hold and a radiant finish. Medium control with special no-water formula to protect haircolour.

Burlesque hair & contest!

The movie Burlesque will be in theaters November 24th!

Quick synopsis: Ali (Christina Aguilera) a small-town girl with a big voice who escapes hardship and an uncertain future to follow her dreams to LA. After stumbling upon The Burlesque Lounge, a majestic but ailing theater that is home to an inspired musical revue, Ali lands a job as a cocktail waitress from Tess (Cher), the club’s proprietor and headliner. Burlesque’s outrageous costumes and bold choreography enrapture the young ingenue, who vows to perform there one day. Burlesque features an all-star cast including: Cher, Christina Aguilera, Eric Dane, Cam Gigandet, Julianne Hough, Peter Gallagher, Alan Cumming, with Kristen Bell and Stanley Tucci.

Visit http://www.sebastianprofessional.com/en_US/burlesque_sweeps/index.jsp for a chance to win two tickets to the “Burlesque” movie premiere in LA with round-trip airfare and accommodations for the winner and a guest courtesy of Sebastian Professional!

I am excited to see this! Especially Cher! And Cher's hair!

Sebastian wants you to be able to do up your hair as well!

Loving Length

The #1 complaint from clients is that stylists take too much length off. Here’s a tip from Sam Villa, founding partner of the Sam Villa® brand and Education Artistic Director for Redken 5th Avenue, for those who love their length, yet want fresh ends and interest in their cut:

“When a client says they want to grow their hair out to one length, most stylists will advise that the shorter the hair is cut, the sooner it will be one length. While this is absolutely true, it pushes the limits of most clients’ comfort zones,” says Villa.

“The natural average of hair growth is ½ inch a month, so if a client visits their stylists every 8 weeks and only has an inch taken off, they can stabilize length and grow hair at the same time. They key is for both client and stylist to agree on the size of an inch is, so use the tip of your thumb to the knuckle as a guideline.”

“Another tip for stabilizing length is altering the interior of the cut – leaving the length and weight of the perimeter and adding interest with disconnected layers or extracting weight with blending shears on the inside of the cut. Fringe can also be added – side swept for conservative, as it’s flattering on all face shapes and grows out easily, and bold and dramatic for the trendy,” concludes Villa.

Aspire for more with Sam Villa! Villa is the founding partner of the Sam Villa® brand, Education Artistic Director for Redken 5th Avenue and a Stylist Choice Award Winner for Favorite Platform Artist and Educator. Discover his coveted hot tips and techniques, along with Sam Villa Signature Series brushes, combs and thermal irons on www.samvilla.com

Shine vs. Matte - You Decide

Redken Wool Shake 08
Is shiny out?! If you say yes, then this is the product for you. You can get volume and texture with Redken's Wool Shake. It gives your hair a different feel and texture rather than the typical smooth and shiny. Hair looks great without looking grungy. Advice: you do NOT need to use a lot, even if you have long hair. A little spray goes a LONG way.


Ouidad Shine Glaze Serum
Dull, drab hair? Not into texture and matte? Give your hair some shine with a little Ouidad Shine Glaze Serum. Not only does it make your hair look healthy and shiny, it also fights frizz! I found out it works best on straight hair. Definitely not sticky or greasy, but a little is all you need for hair that is smooth, sleek, and shiny.

Redken Time Reset Products

Great line of products from Redken including shampoo, conditioner and corrective defense lotion. I didn't think that hair showed signs of aging (besides turning grey), but I was wrong. These products from Redken help restore strength, while making your hair feel soft and clean. Everything smells great and lathers well; however, the conditioner doesn't really detangle my hair. Love all three products and would recommend them to anyone with damaged and aged hair.

Philip Kingsley helping Cancer Patients

Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour is a new shampoo that is formulated for sensitive, delicate or easily irritated scalps. Inspired by Philip’s wife Joan Kingsley’s experience while undergoing cancer treatment, No Scent No Colour is ideal for those undergoing radiotherapy.

Philip Kingsley donates $1 from the of every 250 ml bottle and .50 cents from every 75 ml bottle to Look Good…Feel Better, a charity that is focused on boosting the self confidence and self esteem of women undergoing treatment for cancer.

Price: $26.00 at PhilipKingsley.com

Redken wants to help your 'do

Redken has upped the ante with its facebook-based instruction!

How-to's are available, including those for runway hair.

Check it out and change up your routine.

Amika~Ceramic Styler with 1.25" Floating Plates

When I saw the box from afar, I felt my heart skip a beat and my pulse take off on a race with my brain. I told myself to relax, to come back to reality. But as I walked closer toward my gorgeous Brainy Beauty Blog creator Kate, my heaven-sent gift-er I mean..assignment came into focus. It was an Amika Hair Styler. I knew the seriousness of this blogging gig was about to reach an intense level. I mean, come on! It's AMIKA and it's PINK SNAKE SKIN! It was love at first sight.


My Amika Styler has 2, 100% ceramic plates (many straightening irons boast the same, but really only offer a very thin, ceramic coating). Real ceramic plates do significantly less damage to your hair cuticle-an extremely nice feature if you are a heat-style junkie, like myself. In fact, Amika even goes as far as to report that regular use of this styler results in healthier hair!! I am so smitten that I will believe anything they tell me at this point.

Just as I had dreamed-er, I mean...hoped, when used as a straightening iron, my Amika Styler gave me  super shiny, soft, frizz-free straight hair. Using it to wave or curl my mop created soft, touchable locks in a soft, natural shape.

 My new obsession-er, I mean...Amika boasts the following features and benefits to their Stylers:

* 100% ceramic plates
*infrared and negative-ion technology  
*ultra-light weight and intuitive design
*ready to use in 10 seconds
*superior professional hair styling at home

My pink snake skin Amika Styler and I are doing swell. We're getting along great, I always look forward to waking up to my Styler every morning, and it really does make every day start off right. I'm taking good care of my Styler and we're looking forward to living happily ever after together!

Breaking Brow News...

Boom Boom Brow Bar will be with Silhouette Glasses at Grand Central Wed – Fri for FNO.

If you can't get to NYC, check out their website for the best in brows!

Miss Jessie's Creme De La Creme daily conditioner

Miss Jessie's has created possibly the best conditioner ever.

It goes on easily, smells like fruity-floral-salon hair should, and leaves my hair soft!

I have been having fried ends and crazy frizz in our lovely weather, this actually helps without making my hair feel like it's encased in crap.

Buy this, and be sure to thank the geniuses who invented it.

Mohawks are back. Where is my safety-pin jewelry?

If you rocked a Mohawk in the 70's/80's, please stop and think before recreating the look. As the saying goes, if you were part of the fad the first time, leave it alone the second...

That said, Mohawks (for the young or the ironic, please) are standing again.

Amanda Lenz from patrick mcivor color studio has tips on how to keep them sky high.

“Feminine Mohawks are empowering and strong. Most are of the pixie variation, piecy and fringy around the perimeter and rather tight around the ears and sides with a longer panel on the top from the crown to the fringe area. The beauty of this haircut is its diversity. It can be worn up for a fresh, rocked out look or down framing the face,” explains Lenz.

Sky High

· Towel dry hair and mix Vavoom Take Me Higher Root Riser and Biolage Volumizing Whipped Mousse through the top center of the hair (the sides and back do not need - the sleeker those areas are, the better.)

· Blow dry top section up and back while pulling through with fingers (for those with more texture, a round brush will help).

· When hair is totally dry, spray all over with an extra-hold shaping spray and set in large barrel curls, rolling away from face. Overdirect the curls forward for maximum volume. Pick curls out with fingers. For extra definition, use a light pomade to lift and separate.

· Freeze fin with Vavoom Freezing Spray for long lasting hold.

H2O+ Sea Salt Replenishing Shampoo

Salt and Shampoo are not normally things I think of as playing nice.

Salt and Pepper, Shampoo and Conditioner--now those are the pairs that pop into my mind.

I don't know what the salt does in the H2O+ Sea Salt Replenishing Shampoo, but it all works.

Hair is clean, but not turned to straw.

Pleasant, light scent.

Good lather.

I let my mom "borrow" it, I now have to go out and buy another bottle.

Umberto Beverly Hills U Color

I use 3.0- Dark Medium Brown.

The box contains 2 applications, real gloves, and even one of those fancy color comb/brushes-- all for about $12.00!

Even the NY Times wrote about it!

The color comes in 3 parts: color, developer, and equalizer. It's packaged like Lik'em-aid, with one large pack sub-divided into 3 bits.

The tricky part is getting all 3 to squoosh out of their separate packets in equal amounts. I strongly recommend using a plastic cup or bowl, emptying the packets, mixing, then applying, as I lack the coordination to use as intended.

There's no noticeable stink while you are using it, just a light, floral-ish scent. I love the low-or-no ammonia formula!!!

The color is good, rich, and not too monochromatic. My hair after using is soft, not processed feeling, shiny. It even works on my very stubborn silver (okay, white. I'm going white, not gray) hairs!

Rene Furterer NATURIA Dry shampoo

The whole dry shampoo thing is still a little scary to me: Flashbacks to crappy powders that made me itch and turned my dark hair a greasy gray.

Rene Furterer's Dry Shampoo leaves me itch free, and it brushes out easily, leaving my hair color intact.

I am still a wash-my-hair girl, but am no longer afraid to use Naturia in a pinch.

My sister, who is all about the dry shampoo, tried it and said the RF was great-- the word of an expert is good enough for me!!!

Blow~Blow Out Non-stick Hair Spray

The experts at the famed New York Blow Dry Bar, Blow, have created Blow Out, a  non-stick hair spray that is designed specifically for your overblown locks. This spray is applied after using your blow dryer and not only helps to set your style, but also adds a salon-styled finish to your at-home do!! I have to be honest: my blow dryer is my best friend. I absolutely love this spray because it gives that special "something" to my otherwise ordinary hair routine. Blow Out is significantly fragrant, which does not bother me, but could be a negative to other blow dryer beauties.

Pureology Hydrawhip

Pureology is a personal favorite of mine. Their 100% vegan, 100% organic, 100% amazing products promise longer lasting hair color and I concur! Pureology Hydrawhip is a moisture souffle with avocado, jojoba, and mango butters, that takes your hair from fine and flat to soft and supple in minutes!! This fabulous find has become a weekly treat in my hair care routine!

Sebastian Professional Volupt

BrainyBeautys recently received the new Sebastian Professional Volupt gift set which contains Sebastian Professional Volupt Spray, and Volume-boosting Shampoo and Conditioner. This fine-haired female was more than happy to try this three-part regimen, claiming to to deliver up to 75% more volume!!

My lame locks definitely took to this Shampoo and Conditioner combo, giving me a great, bulky blow-out. The Volupt Spray is a total bonus, with an awesome root-lift. My only gripe was that the spray did dirty my hair a bit, so I would recommend a dry shampoo in between washes if you're a 2-3 day washer, like me.

An additional make-up bag gift and that one-of-a-kind Sebastian Professional product scent, makes this gift set a must buy for your thinner-haired lady friends, or to treat yourself!! It's the next best thing to a Sebastian Professional salon treatment!!

BLOW contest!

Blow is giving away four sets of products to four friends who resemble our favorite foursome!

Go to the blow facebook page & enter a picture now!

Brunettes are Easier... And other professional insight

Sam Villa, Education Artistic Director for Redken 5th Avenue, suggests the following tip for controlling wayward strands:

Spray a makeup powder brush with Redken vinyl glam 02 mega shine spray and gently brush the top layer of hair from roots to ends to smooth hair, add gloss and tame frizz. Make sure to concentrate on the hairline which can tend to have shorter, finer pieces of hair.

Krista Beahm, stylist at patrick mcivor color studio, explains how to get Soft Waves with a Center Part:

· Clip up top half of hair

· Divide bottom half of hair into three sections and spray with Matrix Vavoom Gold Heat Iron-in Control Protective Dry Mist

· Wrap hair around a 1½ inch curling iron, count five seconds and let the hair drop out of iron (repeat on all three sections)

· Take down the top section and divide into three parts. Only wrap hair about half way down the strand - this will give the look of loose relaxed hair.

· For the center part, make a messy middle line (not a perfect straight line), to compliment the casualness of the waves

Colorists from patrick mcivor color studio explain why Brunettes Are Easier:

“Brunette hair is definitely easier to manage. A brunette can get highlights a couple times a year, and with the proper maintenance, they can look shiny and vibrant for a long time because the new growth area blends more gracefully. Blondes are a whole other story. A blonde with a natural color that is a couple levels darker than highlights (most blondes), will show contrast much sooner and will need to be on a more consistent touchup schedule. Blondes also tend to oxidize in the sun very easily increasing the need for toning and glazing on a regular basis,” explains Lisa Grealish.

“Brunette hair typically requires less maintenance…since the number of natural blondes is dwindling. We colorists are working toward a new concept - providing guests with haircolor that doesn't enslave them. Softer, more natural base colors with off base "endlights" instead of massive highlights allows more time between services and less overall time at the salon – something everyone from moms to celebs appreciate,” says Amanda Lenz.

Emily West explains, “It depends on the natural color of the hair. Obviously, on naturally dark hair, darker colors/highlights will be easier to take care of. Highlights that contrast with natural color and are not tone on tone, will definitely require more upkeep because new growth will appear faster. I believe people look best with the color they are born with, accented with tone on tone color.”

Thanks to Suzanne Quinn of Glow Communications for the great post title line.

Quick tips for your hair!

May, 2010 (Bethlehem, PA) – “…late, late, for a very important date!” Whipping hair into shape when on the go is a skill few have mastered, for those still struggling, Amanda Lenz, stylist at patrick mcivor color studio, offers these quick and practical tips.

Curly Hair

Gently towel dry hair to keep cuticle smooth and minimize frizz. Apply a small amount of Design Pulse Loosely Defined Texture Créme and softly finger-comb curls. Randomly freely twist curls. Let dry naturally or use a diffuser to reduce moisture.

Straight Hair

For maximum volume and texture, set hair in hot rollers (the longer the hair, the bigger the roller should be) and spray with Vavoom ShapeMAKER Extra-Hold Shaping Spray. Do makeup, get dressed, eat breakfast and let hair cool. Take rollers out and apply a quarter-size amount of Biolage Volumizing Whipped Mousse throughout to tousle strands and provide all-day lift and hold.

Note: A typical set of hot rollers has 12-16 rollers and can be purchased in a mixed set of different sizes. The section of hair should closely match the diameter of the roller, 12 should be sufficient. It shouldn't take more than 10 to 15 minutes to roll hair, the whole goal of the style is to have a flirty relaxed vibe, so no pressure for perfection.

Creating Texture

At night, wash hair and loosely section into two to four braids before hitting the hay. In the morning, unbraid and blow-dry any damp spots on a low setting (with or without a diffuser). Finish with Matrix Essentials Amplify Full Body Texturizer for a beachy wave.

Redken Styling Products

Ringlet 07 Curl Perfecting Lotion, Aerate 08 Bodifying Cream-Mousse, & Align 12 Protective Straightening Lotion











Redken makes so many amazing hair styling products. Whether you have curly, straight, thick, or thin hair, they have something for you. I have recently tried these 3 products and can't say enough about them. The Ringlet 07 is perfect for when I just want to wash and go. I can put it in my hair and let it air dry. This creamy lotion produces perfect curls, with or without a diffuser. If I take the time to straighten my hair, I will use either the Aerate 08 or Align 12. The Aerate mousse is nice and thick. You do not need much at all! I made the mistake of using a little too much the first time and my hair felt like it was coated with product. I soon learned that it only takes a little to make my hair smooth and fuller. The Align 12 is great to use on those days when it is humid and you want your curls to stay away. All three products are a must have for styling perfection!

A Tale of Two Combs

The Ouidad Double Detangler and The Sam Villa Long Cutting Comb

The Ouidad is a VERY sturdy comb-- it detangles without breaking my hair or the comb!!!

I use this one, then the Sam Villa comb, which has finer teeth for best hair results.

The Ouidad is hefty enough to double as a weapon and doesn't yank.

The Sam Villa is more flexible, but not in the cheap-ready-to-snap way. Also very good for parting & teasing (or whatever the hip-kids are calling it now).

Together, these combs keep my hair in some sort of order! Love them!!!

Miss Jessie’s Super Sweetback Treatment™

Miss Jessie's makes some of the most amazingly transformative hair products.

The wonderful Gwen tested out the Super Sweetback Treatment and loved it.

Not greasy, but nourishing. Leaves hair soft without being all producty.

Smells good, too!

Good news: Miss Jessie's will be available at Target Stores starting March 28th! Check here to see if they will be at your Target-- if not, make the drive!

Fat Hair Zero Calories Products

Click Here

So I tried the shampoo, mouse and hairspray. The shampoo and mouse work well. They are pleasant smelling and fatten up my thin little strands. I definitely see a difference when I use these products. I'm not so much of a fan of the hairspray. It left my hair sticky and the smell was way too potent. But you can't have it all.

Paul Mitchell's Tea Tree Hair and Scalp Treatment

There are pros and cons to the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Scalp Treatment. After just one use my scalp and hair did feel refreshed, but it might have needed it after using the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo. (Refer to the post right before this). I usually love hair products that treat a dry scalp in the winter, but I thought the 3-5 minutes (according to the directions on the back of package) was just a little too long to let it soak in my hair/scalp. This is not a good product if you are trying to cut down on showertime. On the plus side, I do love the peppermint and lavender scent of Tea Tree products, especially Paul Mitchell. They have the special ability of waking me up in the morning--not an easy task!

Paul Mitchell's Tea Tree Special Shampoo & Conditioner

I'm glad that I waited a few weeks before posting my feelings on this product. At first I hated the way the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo left my hair feeling sticky and rough. Yes, the conditioner helped make my hair soft again, but I still felt like I needed to use detangler in order to not tear my hair to pieces when brushing. I wondered what the "special" meant?

Don't expect to be amazed by this product right away, give it a few weeks. I have very fine hair and struggle to find a perfect shampoo/conditioner that actually makes my hair feel more full--this duo was the trick. It's still not perfect, but it'll work till I find my soulmate. If you like the smell of other Tea Tree products, not only by Paul Mitchell, you will enjoy the refreshing scent this product creates.

Beautyblender

Post moved to http://brainybeautysusegadgets.blogspot.com/2010/03/beautyblender.html

Redken, Velvet Gelatine 07 Cushioning Blow-dry Gel

When I don't have the time or finances to hit the salon as often as I'd like, I embark on a quest into the retail jungle, in search of hair products that will leave my locks feeling like they were professionally pampered. I recently scored Redken's Velvet Gelatine 07, Blow-dry Gel. This light, airy, heat-protecting gel is a Godsend for tired, overworked hair. Everything about this little gift takes me to a happy place-almost as happy as a true salon experience. This bottle of Redken velvet gives you a fresh scent, a silky, substantial serum, and a smooth, heavenly 'do'. Sometimes a great product really does fill me up more so than food-this hunt proved to be fruitful indeed!

Wella SP 2.1 Hydro Milk

Wella System Professional Hydro Milk is a Leave-In conditioner that detangles & smooths & makes my hair happy!

Light spray with a bit of 80's-floral perfume scent. The scent quickly fades, but your hair is left silky & smooth, but not weighed-down.

Quite lovely, really!

How-to's for top GG looks!

From Pureology:

As the rain poured down, the stars poured in at Sunday night's 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards. The weather didn't keep the hair from playing a major role. Pureology PureArtists April Webster and Christopher Devaney give their top three trends and step-by-steps on recreating the looks from the evenings unexpected wash out.

Top Trends:

1. Loose Waves as seen on the bell of the ball, Sandra Bullock

2. Slick Up-do as seen on January Jones

3. Loose elegant Up-do as seen on Kate Hudson

Sandra Bullock

1. Mist PureVolume ThickeningMist throughout damp hair and blow dry smooth.

2. Take sections of varying densities and curl on a 1" iron using InCharge Flexible Styling Spray on each section prior to curling for added hold.

3. Allow sections to cool, then break up curls with fingers as you gather hair into a very loose right side pony tail. Use a little NanoWorks ShineLuxe for shine and control of fly-aways.

4. Secure ponytail with an elastic approximately 5"-6" away from lower back of head.

5. Roll ends up and underneath elastic and secure with two closed fasteners in a criss cross fashion.

6. Use open end fasteners for any stray hairs.

7. Allow hair around face to fall away naturally. Give entire style a gentle mist of InChargePlus.

January Jones

1. Apply SuperSmooth SmoothingElixir and PowerDressing to damp hair and blow dry smooth with a large barrel brush to allow movement in hair.

2. Set hair with a 2" barrel iron. Take large irregular sections to create natural set. Spray each section with InCharge Flexible Styling Spray prior to setting. Once set is removed, allow to cool.

3. Once set is cooled brush set out with a large soft bristle brush. Using the same brush lightly lace the crown section of hair. Place a small amount of ShineMax( 1 drop) in hands and rub hands together to emulsify. Run lightly over the top of hair, then smooth all hair back into a low pony.

4. When hair is in low pony twist hair inward making sure all ends are tucked in, with closed fasteners, secure twist in the seam. Use InCharge Flexible Styling Spray to smooth any stray hairs.

5. Finish look with GlossingMist

Kate Hudson

1. Apply RootLift at roots followed by NanoGlaze mid-shaft to ends, blow dry with a large paddle brush.

2. Set hair on large Heat Rollers misting each section with InCharge Flexible Styling Spray. Allow set to cool and remove rollers. Take a large soft bristle brush and brush through to relax the curls.

3. Apply NanoWorks ShineLuxe to palms and rub together to emulsify. Break up curls using a raking technique with fingers.

4. Part hair on left side and sweep fringe across. Loosely pull hair into a low pony and secure with an elastic using caution to leave texture in the hair.

5. Once hair is secured in an elastic, separate curls in pony and loosely pin curls up around back with open fasteners.

6. Finish with InCharge Flexible Styling Spray and GlossingMist.

For more information visit Pureology.com, Become a Pureology Facebook Fan or follow us on twitter @PureologyTweet. Please note, Pureology products can only be guaranteed authentic when purchased from a salon.

Inglorious Basterds star Diane Kruger and 30 Rock’s Tina Fey topped all the “Best Hair” roundups for their glam Golden Globes tresses! We checked in with the stylist who created these winning looks – Richard Marin, dishes on how you can create these ‘dos at home:

From Remington/Marin:

Diane Kruger’s updated 50's retro hairstyle. According to Marin, the look is not only sleek, but very simple to create:

• After drying, make an obvious side part.

• Curl the bottom sections of the hair to shoulder length using the Remington Heated Clip Hair Setters.

• Brush out the curls several times and create the roll that sits at the shoulder.

• For extra punch, place pearl encrusted hair combs on either side of the hair, just above the ears!

Tina Fey channeled old Hollywood glamour with her polished chignon. To recreate this style, Marin says to follow these steps:

• Begin by blow drying hair straight with the Professional by Remington Hair Dryer.

• To create volume, spray thermal protecting spray at the crown and give it a shot of hot air.

• Backcomb only the crown and the back of the hair, and place hair in snag-free ponytail holder.

• Twist the ponytail until it begins to coil into a bun and pin in place with bobby pins – add hairspray and shine spray and you’re Red Carpet ready!

Glam on at your next event!

Depth Refresh Daily Shampoo

Depth is a line I've seen at Whole Foods & always thought was too crunchy for me.

After trying the Refresh Daily Shampoo, however, I am headed to WF to buy more!

The shampoo smells like a tropic beach, all fruity and clean and sea-breezy. Love that.

It is also a great cleaner-- my hair was de-greased & product-free, but did not feel like straw.

The crazy bottle shape actually makes it easier to pick up in the shower, and it's always resting on the top, so you don't have to try to balance the bottle oddly to get out the last bits.

It has all these fancy marine botanicals, is NOT animal-tested, 100% vegetarian, AND they raise money to help send kids to sea (in a good way, not as in swabbing decks).

GO, buy, love, and feel good about your hair & your contributions to the environment & education. Yeah, good shampoo can do all that.