Monday, February 28, 2011

Oscar 2011 - "And the winner is..."

“The red Carpet is a platform for the female actoress”. (Jess Cartner-Morley from guardian.co.uk) I could have not said it better myself. For anyone in the fashion, hair, makeup and Beauty industry this is the day of days. I value and treasure the Oscars and most definitely appreciate the actors and their craft, however when it comes to critiques for this blogging beauty queen, we are all about the glitz and glam!
Since the beginning of the Oscars in 1929, some of the most amazing women show up nominated for great film roles. Each nominee is ready to showcase the most amazing side of themselves, and the red carpet has become the infamous playground for Hollywood starlet’s to do this. I am going to focus on our best actresses for 2011, Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams, Annette Bening, Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Lawrence. Each actress has her own uniqueness when it comes to style. Weather the look be chic elegance, classic modern, or sexy sophistication, no one goes small when it comes to dressing and styling for the Oscars. My favorite look for the night was Natalie Portman. Natalie sported a long layered, high waist, (to hide her new bun in the oven) plum dress with a classic modern hairstyle. She glowed as she walked the red carpet. Jennifer is a newer leading lady that I haven’t seen as much of, but she is very in to her sense of style. Jennifer wore a sexy sophisticated bright red form fitting dress which was very hard not to notice. Annette Bening is a very well know actress who since the early 60’s never fails when it comes to appreciated Hollywood. Annette was very classy in her stunning bluish gold beaded long dress. Annette is always sporting a short style, but when it comes to Hollywood royalty I think Annette always wears this look very well.
Nicole Kidman wore her hair up and sleeked back with a white beaded piece that had lots of asymmetrical points to it. In my opinion I think Nicole Kidman is gorgeous, but to me thid dress could have been different. Also, I like Nicole with her hair down and flowing, she has the most amazing strawberry blonde hair. Michelle Williams was a sight to see in all her shimmer that made her form fitting dress a knock out choice. Both Nicole and Michelle have something in common, they both have this porcelain skin that is so flawless. Michelle also sported a very short hair style with a platinum blonde color. This complimented her look very well considering her dress drew in so much attention.
With the Oscars not getting the reviews that it may have needed, we can say that the women nominated came ready to shine! Natalie Portman did take the win for the evening, but the Oscars are never really a letdown. Waking up to the reviews, pictures and blogs galore it does create a hype that no one can deny. We will see all of these looks this year, hairstyles and more, appreciated in their own way and recreated by those who were inspired. I know I will be taking Natalie’s lead and keeping it classic for 2011, just like the Oscars!
Comment on your favorite look of the evening!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Fall back, spring/summer forward!

If you’ve ever picked up an InStyle magazine you start to flip through a few pages and before you know it the fascinating designer adds start to pop up. But the one thing I notice in the fashion world is they plan ahead. When we’re all just getting our wardrobes ready for the winter with warm sweaters, cute hats, jeans, long sleeve tops, Instyle and Vogue are already shooting spreads for spring, summer of Next year. Now to me it does make sense, fashion magazines have to be ready for every season and plan ahead, especially when we gals use our magazines as a guide to what’s hot and what’s not.
I myself am somewhat of a pre planner. As soon as I change my hair dark, I’m already thinking of ways to change it lighter. This is something about me that ironically has never changed. But when we bring the topic up about planning what type of hair cut, color/style you want is it better to plan or go with the flow? Not all of us ladies wake up one morning thinking, “ok summer is here and I need to schedule my appointment to go lighter”. Or do we? The more fashion leads the trending scale I think it does rub off a little on us and how we change our hair for the season. I’m currently in the stage of going lighter for the summer. Here’s where my planning comes in, I started at about a level 5 and now I’m about a level 7 (for a visual I’m looking for a nice strawberry blonde, all KEMON Yo coloring), come my next appointment we are doing highlights and VOILA, I’m ready for summer.
Most stylists start to see a trend once spring and summer come around. Their chairs are filled with young ladies who want the highlights and lighter dos. Come winter the brown tones and warm dark reds will start to emerge and after that the process repeats. So do we plan you think? In my opinion, yes, just like the fashion industry some of us ladies already know that when summer comes around were headed into the salon and ready for change. For those ladies that keep it dark, maybe it’s the hair cut that changes. Short in the summer, long in the winter? Regardless come spring/summer we fall back, and come fall/winter we spring forward.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Glitz, Glitter and Glam!

Holy Hair trends! As hot as a hair cut can be nothing compares to a little glitter, sparkle and gems. You would think I was talking about jewelry but nope, I’m talking about actual tinsel, peacock feathers and gems for your hair. I can remember when scrunchies and barrettes, or even the multi colored string wraps we used to do at the bottom of our hair back in the 90’s were so cool. But Nope, we’ve been beat out by tinsel and gems that now can be flat ironed into you lovely long locks!
I was in amazement as I walked down the hall behind one of the 16 year old girls I coach. There was a small little red reflection with a glitter affect peaking from her ponytail. As I looked a little further I was amazed at what I saw, little strands of tinsel finely tied in her hair. She was like “coach isn’t it cool”, and to make sure I didn’t look to out of the loop I responded, “of course, it’s so cool!” But the truth was I hadn’t even seen this yet. I was so fascinated at the idea that these 16 year old teens were taking the bar another level when it came to your hair. Of course I was then corrected that the person who may have sparked this trend was a really none other than Beverly Hills house wife Adrienne Maloof. As much as I love the housewives, I think I missed that episode!
Either way this is a prime example of thinking out of the box. In the company I work for tng worldwide our CEO Larry Gaynor always thrives on innovation and thinking outside the box, it is inspiring! If there ever was a trend that was outside of the box this is it. We started with hair extensions and then we moved to peacock feathers and tinsel extensions, what will we think of next?
For more information about tng worldwide visit www.tngworldwide.com

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Out with the old, In with the NEW!

When do you know it’s time to clean out your closest? For me it’s usually when I have no room left to hang anything! We are all guilty of having too much of a good thing, especially clothes. We keep everything from the favorite comfy hoodie, to the one pair of jeans that’s so comfortable, but has 6 holes and counting. In the end we all cave and eventually throw away the clothes we no longer wear or see suitable to wear in public.
How do we as women attempt to move this concept into our “product” closet? Having too many hair products is just as bad as having too many clothes! With so many HOT products out I know it's hard to choose just one. But if you keep everything, eventually you'll end up with and overload of half used 2 year old product lying around. To clean out the product closet is like creating a fresh start for you and your hair! No one needs 4 bottles of curl cream, or 6 bottles of hairspray and 5 blowout sprays, do we? I know it’s very difficult to get rid of anything you think worthy of keeping, but like our closet, it leaves room to get rid of the old and bring on the NEW!
If your having a hard time deciding what to keep and what to throw away be sure to start with the items that look like they have developed a small layer of something other than the original label. Keep your absolute favorite items in front and then your next favorite as a backup. I keep 2 of everything I use on a daily basis, and then I keep only one of the products I use on special days, like the extra hold hairspray for the fun updo’s.
My must haves! Michael O’Rourke 3 way hairspray (3 levels of hold), Neuma Blowout lotion

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

To change... Or not to change, Hair! That is the question!

I can remember when I was a little girl and my mom always had my hair short. I never understood until I was older why she kept it so short, but it wasn’t until the age of 10 that I started to grow it long. She claims it was easier on her being a working mom as to why she kept my curly auburn brown locks so short, but I’m not sure I’m buying it. My mom has this thing with short hair, the shorter the better. But me I think it depends on what looks and feels best.
Speaking of feelings, can you remember the first time you cut your hair and didn’t like it? We as women have two types of hair personalities. We are either the “don’t like change” hair type, or the “let’s change it up” hair type. I am more the, let’s change it up hair type. I never like keeping one hairstyle for too long or I just get bored. I know I have posted previously that I have been every color and hairstyle imaginable so this should come as no shock. However why is that women get so emotional over hair? Why do women who like the same style, same hair cut, same color every time, never want to change it up? I think it’s because we as people get attached to a certain identity and once you start to mess with that it can be pretty upsetting. I have seen tears flow after a friend had her hair chopped off and wasn’t quite ready for it. And I have to admit myself, I think early on in my hair adventures I was guilty of crying over a hair cut that brought me back to my younger years of the too short do!
I’ve come to a conclusion that hairstylists are somewhat a therapist for their client’s. Anyone who is hesitant on change, maybe there’s a reason why? Maybe they had a bad haircut and don’t want to talk about it? It’s up to the stylist to earn the trust of the client and then from their create a great relationship to continue to obtain business from  that one person. Who knows maybe you could eventually evolve into having a long line of client’s out the door just waiting to talk to you, and of course to get their hair cut and colored also!!
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Friday, February 18, 2011

Can hair be an Accessory?

Shoes, Handbags, earrings, bracelets and possibly a headband. These according to us are considered accessories, items that accent the outfit we are wearing at the moment. But what if hair was also considered an accessory? We take such care of our hair and try to use all the hottest products that will make our hair look it’s best, so why not? It is the cherry on the cake when it comes to finishing touches right before a hot date, a night on the town or even girls night!
I have been coloring my hair for awhile and let me tell you it changes with the season’s. I have been every shade of red, brunette that I can think of. I have even braved the Blonde locks and the dramatic black once or twice. For me it is so important to make sure my hair looks perfect before I go out. You have your 15 min shower, then 10 minutes of makeup, 10 minutes to get dressed and then  35-40 minutes to spend on my hair. I could have all the right jewelry and the hottest outfit but if my hair looks terrible, forget it! It’s funny, I never realized until a few years ago how important hair can be when it comes to creating the right look for the evening, but then I look at all the celebrities on the red carpet and it makes sense! You would never see Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts or Amanda Seyfried with their hair casually down if they are appearing at the golden globes! It does matter, just like it matters with shoes and jewelry, how your hair looks when it comes to putting your look together.
So to answer the question, Yes, hair can be an accessory! A Hairessory to match all other accessories you are wearing for that evening or for your personality!
For great products to keep your hair looking great try a blow out lotion or a finishing spray!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

What exactly creates a hair trend?

From the 1990's Jennifer Aniston layered look, to the Kim Kardashian long flowing Victoria Secret model locks. What is it exactly that creates a hair trend? We've all spent plenty of time looking at the fashion magazines, and the latest people, flipping through the top trends of that season. But not every celebrity or style we see makes the cut as a "must have" look. We are all guilty of going to our nearest salon and booking an appointment only to be able to go out that night and flaunt our new version of Ashley Simpson's Platinum blonde pixie cut, or Khloe Kardashian's flashy red hair! So why is it that some of us grab onto one certain look, or rave about one person's new hair style? I believe I may have the answer, well maybe. The answer to an ongoing trend is, the stylist! Any celebrity can go in and get a haircut and color, but not anyone can have a hands down amazing stylist/colorist. Every masterpiece is created by someone and for Khloe it was Los Angeles Crimson salon. Khloe spent four hours behind a chair with colorist Julie Canales. For Ashlee Simpson is was Andy LeCompte Salon also in Los Angeles.
I think any new do is worthy of creating a trend, but it's a matter of opinion on how hot it truely looks. If the stylists/colorist pulls it off just right, then all it needs is a few snap shots and some great publicity! Kudos to the great hair stylists/colorists in the industry!

Some great trends and looks that I have seen so far come straight from Italy. Kemon has a diverse and attractive collection that evolves beautifully each season. If you want some great ideas, and stunning colors to work out this year, be sure to take a look! You can view these on http://www.kemon.it/usa/collezioni/