Why do we always want what we can’t have?

I have very curly hair and I like to wear it straight! Ever since I was a teenager I have straightened my pretty curls and it isn’t until I wear my curls that people even know I have curly hair! The response I usually get is, “why don’t you wear your hair curly more often?”  Does anyone really have the answer to that? I know that most of my friends with straight hair curl their hair every day, and when I ask them why they don’t wear their hair straight, I get a pretty simple answer in return, “cause I don’t’ like it”. Well that’s seems to sum it up!

Back in my preteen and teen times I thought the straighter the better! Now that I am 27 I have embraced my curls, I have even learned great tips to enhance my curls which makes me like my curly locks even MORE! (Tip 1 use a great curl cream/mousse; tip 2 twist small portions of your curls with your finger; tip 3 use a great diffuser on medium heat) I still straighten it most of the time since I am a fan of wearing my hair straight, but at least I have left the phase wear I would refuse to wear my hair curly.

Nowadays when you walk into a salon they offer a service for just about anything, and if you want to have your hair straight without having to flat iron it you can! Keratin is the most popular when it comes to being able to have straight hair in seconds. There’s even a Keratin express service. I have tried the system and let me tell you it is awesome, it literally takes me seconds to dry my hair and there is no need for a flat iron.  If you decide you want to go back to your natural curly hair the system eventually fades out and your back to rockin the curls!

So is it human nature for us to want the things that we can’t have? In the grand scheme of things we women can be pretty indecisive with just about anything. Whether it’s the fact that we want our hair curly if it’s straight or long because it’s short, the beauty industry has answers to solve all our needs.  So salons keep on finding those amazing products that keep us women happy!

What era/decade inspires you?

I have always loved the 1920’s. I’m not really sure why it is one of my favorites, but I think it has a lot to do with the Great Gatsby.  I watched the Great Gatsby for the first time when I was about 12 years old (the Robert Redford version of course) and from then on it has always been a fascinating time frame to me. The fashion and style in the 1920’s was simple but fun, flashy yet modest and it was the first era to bring the bob haircut that everyone loves today, to life!

Think hard about what inspires you and then think about if you could go back to any decade or era when that would be? I asked a few girl friends of mine what era they would go to if they could, and they immediately responded the 20’s, 60’s and the 80’s (when Cindy Crawford was hot, not neon). I think fashion and Beauty are very influenced by each decade and we continue to revise and revamp the looks to make them modern and fresh. I see so many models and fashion spreads that are styled with a very old classic Hollywood look, or vintage feel. What keeps us drawn to these era’s, and why do we always want to go back in time as opposed to forward? This goes back to the inspiration; we all grow up having been inspired, so we go back to the basics.

Hair is a never-ending inspired industry; we look to anything that takes us to a place of inspiration. The bob hair cut is the most evolved hair cut in the industry that I can think of. Everyone at some point has had a bobbed haircut, and it’s still being recreated and worn by celebrities. Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Aniston are just a few to name that just recently changed hairstyles to a bob. Aniston’s bob is slightly longer than Johansson’s but they are still both a bob! Another celebrity that is sporting the bob is Keira Knightly. She seems to sport the bob quite often, and her bob rests just slightly shorter than Scarlett’s.

The bob may never have a definite length and it may continue to be one of the most talked about looks inspired by the 20’s, but I do know that the fashion world is on the same fashion train when it comes down to taking old classic looks and making them their own. If you are a hair stylist and you love a certain style, comment on what era inspires you the most! I’d love to hear!

Hair "I do"!

It seems like yesterday when my sister and I used to rummage through my mom’s old bridesmaids dresses and try them on and pretend we were brides. This was back in the mid 80’s so you can imagine what we had to work with for improvised bride’s dresses. There was lace and more lace, peach and blue’s, just the right amount of dress to keep a 6 year old and an 8 year old dreaming of the day when we would say, “I do”.

With spring on its way there are weddings being planned and appointments being booked! In 2011 the one main wedding everyone can’t stop talking about is Kate Middleton and Prince William. These nuptials are on every major magazine cover we can find. Most celebrity weddings keep us on our toes and inspired for our own weddings. For instance when you first book an appointment with a stylist to do a trial run for your hair, you know you have at least 5 different pictures of celebrities hair styles that you would want to  have the big day. It’s hard to make up your mind and I know I would have a hard time deciding. (Tip: It is very important to have a trial day for any look you want for your special day. What looks good on someone else may not always look good on you.)

A few styles that always catch my eye are classic looks; a great example is Claire Danes hair style for her wedding day. Her style was a low tidy bun with a teased deep sided part for lift at her roots. Simple, sweet and sophisticated, I love it!

If you are more on the wild side try an exaggerated ballerina bun like Jennifer love Hewitt. How about trendy and sophisticated, Jessica Alba’s stylist parted her hair down the middle and added small French braids down the sides. The back was wrapped and pinned to hold the hair tight, it looked awesome.

If you are not sure what you want to do, go with your gut instincts and be sure to bring your best friend on the day you have your trial run booked. Also, make sure that you keep your hairstyle consistent with the style of your wedding dress. That way your wedding dress is complimented by your hair, not overshadowed. Either way you will look amazing and best of all the pictures will look amazing!!

Visit www.instyle.com, for more ideas and styles. (Look for Keyword 20 Beautiful Bridal Hairstyles)

Are you turning green?

Oh how the world has evolved. We are all going green, and I don’t mean green with envy. Everywhere you go someone is promoting to go paperless, recycle more, eat organic; even cleaning products have gone organic! With so many people going green, we’ve started to see a new industry evolve before our eyes.

In the Beauty industry we are seeing more companies opening up with new organic lines. In the hair industry, the newest of new organic hair care products is a brand called Nuema. Nuema has a moisture system, a volume system and a renew system that make your hair feel so incredible. I use the moisture and volume system and I love the way my hair feels after I use it. The blow out lotion is another product from this line that definitely treats your hair while you are adding that extra heat with the dryer.

Another great item that many have grabbed onto is oils. There are so many out right now that it’s hard to choose a favorite. Many are very skeptical since oil is a word usually used when referencing a car lube. But that’s exactly what it is; natural oils, such as argan oil, and moroccanoil, all have a natural moisturizing affect on the hair. Argan oil, also known as Argania spiriosa, is also used to treat dry skin, and burns. If you color, blow dry, flat iron your hair frequently you should consider using just a few drops when mixing any styling product cocktail for your hair. Trust me your hair will thank you.

Lots of hair companies have even taken out the ppd and ammonia from their formulation in their hair color. This is another new trend we are seeing happen for the better. Brands such as Kemon, an Italian color line, have done just that. NaYo is one of the newest permanent hair color lines that are ppd and ammonia free.

We all have many options when it comes to picking an item that works for us. But with the industry moving in a somewhat green direction, you might as well get a head start with some of the newest and most beneficial for your hair. Natural is coming back and if it isn’t in our products then it’s everywhere else!

The evolution of the ponytail!



The ponytail used to be the best answer to an easy fix to a bad hair day. It also was the best option for a trip to the gym. Now the ponytail has evolved into a fashion statement. Most women like to wear their hair up as a convenience. Now we can wear it up and be stylish!

With hair being a fascinating fashion trend it isn’t surprising that the ever so convenient ponytail is now a must do, do! In the world of hair there are exceptions to every rule. In order to wear this hair style properly you have to make sure it looks just right. There are three types of ponytail styles that are acceptable. You have the classic ponytail, the mildly messy pony for shorter hair, and the low set ponytail that sits slightly lower than the high classic ponytail. Each look is amazing and is very easy to master/execute. The tools to create a fashion forward ponytail are a great can of hairspray with a medium hold, a great shine spray, leave in conditioner, a few small bobby pins, elastic rubber bands and a fine toothed comb.

Let’s start with the classic ponytail. Start with one quick spray of your shine spray and run your fingers through your hair. Next comb your hair back nice and neatly with no flyaway’s left on your head. Pull your hair together nice and tight and use your fine toothed comb to help comb everything back so everything is even. Pull your hair through an elastic band and shoot a few sprays of your medium hold hair spray and you are good to go. (You can part your sleek look to the side if you prefer a part in your classic pony look.)

The mildly messy pony that Kate Beckinsale is wearing in the photo to the left is a great look for a casual evening with a sassy feel.  If you already have a slight wave in your hair then you’re in luck! If you don’t, just spray (while hair is wet) a light mist of a leave in conditioner and then either towel dry, or on low temp, lightly blow dry your hair. After, section the top and grab small portions and back comb lightly at the top to add some volume to the base of your hair. Once you’ve done that lightly comb all the hair into your ponytail while trying to keep just a slight exaggerated poof at the top and tie the elastic rubber band tightly. The hair in the ponytail can keep the messy feel while the rest stays nicely together with a few sprays of that medium hairspray.

Lastly is the low ponytail. This is quick and easy for on the go ease. Blow out your hair as needed and then part your hair as desired. Pull the hair low to the back lightly and then tie together. Add a few small bobby pins to keep any odd lengths down and looking nice. With a few quick sprays of hair spray, you’re ready to walk out the door.

My favorite pony is the mild messy ponytail. I already have a natural way in my hair and in the summer time this look goes with anything. This reminds me, I am so ready for the summer to be here. With all the snow, it’s time to wipe out the beach sandals and sunglasses and rock my Pony!