The Grown Up Ponytail

You see a girl at the mall with super cute ponytail and you think to yourself why doesn't mine every look like that. Her secret, is most likely back combing aka teasing and ponytail position. Not too high where you look like a HS Cheerleader and not too low where you look momish. The right position is just below the crown. You want the sides to sweep back and a little up to give the face some lift.

Now the how to.

First, back combing or back brushing either works. The trick to it is to hold the ends very loose and kind of scoop as you comb/brush backwards. You don't need to do your whole head just the top and front part of your sides.


Next, With a brush using just the edges of the bristles to smooth out the top of the hair being careful not to brush out all your back combing. Brush it back into your ponytail and secure really tight.



Then, grab the hair at the crown and pull up and forward just a bit it create some height in the crown.






If you want to add a head band do it now and just make sure you still have the height in the crown area.

Blow Dryers

A question I get asked often is does the kind of blow dryer really matter? YES! Well unless you don't mind spending 30+ min blowing out your hair. With all the new technology out there be it nano, ionic or tourmaline they cut down the drying time in some cases by half. I will tell you what I use as a professional and then list some of the other tops according to my internet friends.
The Chi Rocket is what I was using in salon until a few weeks ago when mine broke apart. I really like this blow dryer, but I think it's really not made for heavy use i.e. all day everyday.

Now I've switched to FHI Heat and I'm really liking it. It's super light weight and dries really well.

Last, for the good yet inexpensive dryers we have the Infiniti by Conair Professional Tourmaline Ionic Styler Dryer


And the Revlon Tourmaline Ionic

Oscar Favorites

OH the Oscars. When all of Hollywood gets dolled up for the big night. There really is nothing like it. Here are a few of my faves from the night.



I love her hair it's very Grace Kelly
I wish I could have found a good picture of the back it's so cool


SJP stunning as always


Very classic not super exciting, but still beautiful


I think her whole look is amazing, very stunning


Love this classic with a twist
I'm a fan of the side styles


Just beautiful


Classic and beautiful
I'm loving all the texture this year

Gisele Curls

The second most requested style when it comes to curls are those of Ms. Gisele Bundchen. I can't tell you how often someone brings in her picture and asks for her curls.
There are two options for creating this hairstyle. First, hold a regular curling iron upside down with the clamp open. Wind the sections of hair down the barrel, alternating forward and backward every row. Doing it this way your curls won't clump together as easy. Option two is to curl the same way as option one just using a curl stick/pin curl iron. I prefer this one, but then again I own a curl stick. Once its all curled just run your fingers through it to break up the curls and set it with some hair spray. Ta da!

Waves

I think one of the FAQ's by clients is how do I curl my hair to like so and so. The most popular being the waves you see celebs rockin on the red carpet.

















The trick is to curl your hair all the same direction. So if you start on the left curling back by the time you come around to the right you should be curling forward. Let it cool. With a good brush like a mason pearson brush
brush, brush and brush some more. The last thing is to add a wax type product to help the waves stay together. I like Aveda's control paste.

Wedding Updo's

So wedding season is just about to start and the ugly updo are about to begin. Why is it that women getting married think they need some crazy loop-d-loop updo thing reminiscent of some super ugly prom hair. Isn't the purpose of having professionals do your hair and make up is to look like you, just better? So to brides everywhere I beg of you please don't bring your stylist some craptastic hair do you found on google. Let them work their magic on creating a one of a kind beautiful hairstyle for you. And to hairstylists everywhere please for the love of god stop making these crazy origami updo's! They are some serious fug and never flatter the bride anyway.

This picture is from a friend and yes she paid someone to do this!


A quick google search yielded these jems


What is with this lattice work in the back? Were they building a patio cover or a hairstyle?


This one takes some skill, but what is with all the showing pins?


I have no words.....

Welcome

My first Blog. It smells just like a new baby!

Fashion week for fall 2009 just finished up. My 2 friends and salon owners, Charlie and Cameron were there leading the Cynthia Rowley show. Honestly, fashion week hair is really never that interesting. The designers always say they want something that looks like the model did herself. I always wonder why they get professional hairdressers to do the show if they want something that looks like the girl did it herself. Hmmm....

I can't wait to get to work and get the full scoop. Here are a couple of pictures from the show.