Backstage Hair at Sophie Theallet with Aveda

The vibe, according to lead stylist Antoinette Beenders, was country girl meets princess at Sophie Theallet. A messy updo with lots of wispy and long tendrils escaping played that out.

"The Sophie Théallet hair look for this season is soft, tousled, and romantic—a mélange of country girl and princess. Hair is loosely pulled back and twisted into a textured, slightly teased ponytail with long wisps of hair framing the face," said Beenders.

Here is how to get the look:

1. Prep damp hair with Aveda Volumizing Tonic for volume and shine, massaging it into roots. Blow-dry hair at half speed.
   
2. Create a deep side part and separate the fringe and hair around the face.
   
3. Sprinkle Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion into the rest of the hair for matte texture and tousled volume, massaging it into the scalp.
   
4. Slightly backcomb hair at the crown, using a wide-tooth comb to create a textured, distressed look. Spray with Aveda Control Force™ Hair Spray (launching in June, 2010) for maximum hold.
   
5. Pull hair into a low, loose, half-up ponytail and secure with an elastic band, leaving the fringe and front wisps loose.
   
6. Divide remaining bottom half of hair into right and left sections. Backcomb the right section and twist it over the ponytail elastic. Secure hair just to the left side of the ponytail using hair pins.
   
7. Take the remaining left section of free hair and create another loose ponytail behind the left ear. Spray with Aveda Control Force™ Hair Spray.
   
8. Combine the two ponytails by pinning them together behind the left ear. Sprinkle Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion liberally through the length of the ponytail and tousle with fingers to create texture. Finish the look with Aveda Control Force™ Hair Spray.

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Christian Siriano Rocks the Updo at his NYFW Show

I can always count on Christian Siriano to give me good fashion show, and he never disappoints. This time he is thrilling me with his desire for the updo in his look for fall and winter 2010 at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week.

Christian chose Aveeda's lead stylist Antoinette Beenders to help him recreate the 1960's Parisian updo. Here is how she created the look:

• Prep hair with Aveda Air Control™ Hair Spray for light, workable hold.
  
• Working from bottom to top, curl hair in one-inch pieces with a medium barrel curling iron. Loop each curled piece around your finger and pin against the head to set the curl. Allow curls to cool, and then remove clips. Gently brush hair out.
  
• Separate a top section of hair—from the hairline to the crown—and pin it away to separate. Backcomb the remainder of hair and spray with Aveda Air Control™ Hair Spray to create ultra-volume. Brush backcombed hair through.
  
• Gather the left side of hair and pull tightly to the back of the head. Pin in place vertically, up the center line of the head, with bobby pins. Smooth hair against the head with fingers and spray with Aveda Air Control™ Hair Spray to minimize flyaways.
  
• Gather the right side of hair and pull tightly to the back of the head. Wrap hair inwards around your fingers to create a tornado-like twist. Pin in place and spray with Aveda Control Force™ Hair Spray for ultra-strong hold.
  

• Remove pins from the remaining front section of hair and backcomb to create volume. Spray with Aveda Air Control™ Hair Spray. Comb hair away from the face and pin to the top of the twist, creating wave-like volume at the crown of the head. Set the look with Aveda Control Force™ Hair Spray.
  

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Aveda Was Backstage at ORGANIC at by John Patrick

Aveda was backstage today at the ORGANIC by John Patrick show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, and they were creating gorgeousness, in my opinion. I am seriously loving these styles.

"Our collection this season is centered around big, beautiful hair that makes our hand-woven tweeds look happy. Despite some inspiration from Joni Mitchell, Lady Diana, and Brigitte Bardot, the hair look is modern—very young and fun, not polished or structured." - ORGANIC by John Patrick.

That big, amazing "pouf" is courtesy of Aveda's Control Force Hair Spray. Here is how to get the look:

• Brush through hair and prep with Aveda Phomollient™ Styling Foam to add body and shine. Use a comb to create a left side part.
  
• Divide hair into four sections: sides, back, and top. Fold the top section over the face and clip back to separate.
  
• Backcomb the back section of hair with a brush to create messy volume. Spray liberally with Aveda Control Force™ Hair Spray for maximum hold.
  
• Create an anchor by crossing bobby pins horizontally across the middle of the back section of hair, just below the crown of the head.
  
• Using large hair pins, attach a hairdresser's sponge at the crown, where bobby pins are anchored.
  
• Cross the right section of backcombed hair over to the left, pinning over the hairdresser's sponge with large hair pins. Repeat with the left section of backcombed hair, bringing it to right. Take all remaining hair in the back section and twirl to the left to create a French twist. Secure the twist at the nape of the neck with hair pins, creating a tail of loose hair draped over the shoulder.
  
• Set aside a portion of hair to fall in front of the left ear, and brush remaining top section of hair over the hairdresser's sponge, Pin it into the French twist to create a “pouf.” Pull lightly with fingers to create loose, spontaneous volume. Spray with Aveda Control Force™ Hair Spray.
  
• Leave wisps of free falling hair in front of the left ear, and loosely pin remaining pieces above the right ear. Finish with Aveda Control Force™ Hair Spray.
  

The Aveda Control Force Hair Spray will be launching in June, 2010. Meanwhile, I'll be working on duplicating this at home. Long live big hair!

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Get Red Carpet Curls at Home Easily

No doubt about it, curls are all the rage right now. It's such a nice change from the stick straight hair we've been seeing the past few years, it's positively refreshing. 

It's super easy to get this look at home. Start by using Samy Curl Constructor Activating Mousse on wet hair to boost natural texture. It will help provide lift and volume throughout the hair. Dry hair in sections using a good round brush. Next, set hair in large hot rollers such as Remington Ceramic Ionic Jumbo Hair Rollers:

Alternate the two sizes for a more natural curl pattern. Then you can either pin your hair up or leave it down, as you wish. Finish off your style with Samy Skyscraper Volumizing Hairspray for lift that holds all day.

You can find Samy products at Walgreens, Rite Aid, and better drugstores across the US. The Remington hair roller set is available at Wal-Mart.

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Katy Perry Sports Hipper Version of Bettie Paige Look at Grammys

Danilo, the celeb stylist for Pantene, styled Katy Perry's hair for last night's Grammy awards, and wanted to move away from a retro perfect look. To get started, Danilo started by combing in Pantene Pro-V Beautiful Lengths Split End Prevention Leave-in Cream to condition and prepare for styling. Then he blow dried individual sections using Pantene Pro-V Volume Root Lifter Gel for extra lift and definition. Then he used a medium curling iron to create soft spiral curls. He then tousled them and sprayed with Pantene Pro-V Texture Hairspray to finish.

He described her bangs as "bumper perfection," and used Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Frizz Control Extra Strength Serum before drying straight and creating a curvature around the brow.

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Kate Mara's Hair at Sundance

Hairstylist Stephen Lewis made Kate's hair sound so easy. He used Leonor Greyl products:

"Kate Mara wanted to wear a hat but I applied some Serum de Soie Sublimateur
to her dry hair and worked it in. I then ran a blow dryer through her hair
to give it volume and a tussled look. I finished the look with Eclat Naturel
on my fingertips and she was ready to go!"

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Can Remington Convince You to Give Up Your Chi?

The Remington Shine Therapy Frizz Control, Humidity Resistant Ceramic Flat Hairstyling Iron has been getting a lot of press lately, including a VIP (very innovative product) from Good Housekeeping, and a writeup in the New York Daily News as one of the nine smartest buys in 2010.

Here is how Remington describes the product:

The revolutionary Frizz Therapy Iron is the first flat iron to use frizz-resistant technology to protect hair from the outdoor elements, dramatically diminishing frizz (65% less than a traditional iron) and firmly resisting humidity all day (up to 15 hours) to maintain a silky smooth style. The iron employs next generation ceramic plates with special porous properties infused with a blend of frizz-resistant micro-conditioners that are emitted during styling. Complete with digital heat settings that range from 300°-430°F and a one-hour auto-safety shut off, the Frizz Therapy Iron is the newest must-have for sleek, frizz-free hair!

I must admit, I'm tempted. It's half the price of my Chi, and if it worked just as well (and even better), then I'd be all over it. So I'm asking you all - have you tried it? Does it really work as well as it claims? Inquiring minds want to know!!

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Antonio Prieto Breaks Down Celeb Hair Trends

I am always looking for new ways to style my hair. I really don't like rocking the same hairstyle every. single. day. I need to switch it up, yet I don't want anything drastic.

When I got am email from Antonio Prieto's salon detailing some popular styles and how they are created, I knew I had to share them with you.  These are easy and doable by just about anyone.

The Half Up on Angelina Jolie

1. Smooth hair with blow drier
2. Curl with large curling iron from the middle to the ends.
3. Tease the front slightly and pin back with hair pins.

The Smooth Pony on Drew Barrymore

1. Smooth hair with a blow dryer.
2. Pull tight into a ponytail and spray the front with a holding spray.
3. Use large curling iron to create flip in the back
4. Use a strand from pony to wrap around elastic and secure with a pin.

The Messy Bun on Michelle Williams

1. Smooth hair with blow dryer.
2. Use large curling iron from middle to ends.
3. Pull hair to low pony with elastic.
4. Pin pony into loops with hair pins to make desired style

If you're in NYC, be sure to check out the Antonio Prieto salon - it looks amazing!

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Holiday Hair Look: Side Knot

Need inspiration for a holiday look this year? How about the side knot as seen here on Diane Kruger? Stylist Richard Marin has some tips:

• Dry hair with head tilted forward using an ionic dryer for maximum shine and volume (try the Remington Professional Dryer).
• Part hair to side. Using a one inch barrel curling iron, section hair in pieces that are 1½ inches by 3 inches wide. Curl in one direction for a uniform wave pattern, and let curls cool to set.
• Brush hair out in a downward motion. Keep brush close to scalp, and finger waves will form. Brush waves to one side, and secure in side ponytail.
• Roll hair into smooth bun with the ends poking out, and pin into place. Finish with a touch of hairspray and bit of shine spray. To glam it up like Diane, add a sparkly hair accessory

The Remington Professional line includes a dryer, one-inch flat iron and two-inch flat iron, and is avaiable exclusively at Walmart for $50 each.

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Recreating Beautiful Miley Cyrus Hair

I'm not much of a Miley Cyrus fan, but her hair has been looking fabulous lately, and now I've figured out why. She's been using Leonor Greyl products! Here's a breakdown of some things she's been trying:

• Mousse au Lotus Volumatrice Volumizing Styling Mousse: Formulated without silicone or alcohol, this divinely scented product will detangle, style and protect hair in all weather with discretion and performance.
• Voluforme Setting Spray for Volume and Hold: This spray was created for those who don’t have a lot of time on their hands to style their hair. Using Voluforme reduces both the temperature and timeof drying your hair, thus avoiding damage or dehydrate to the hair because of over heating.
• Eclat Naturel Daytime Nourishing and Styling Cream for Dry Hair: The cream repairs damage caused by perms, straightening, tinting, sun exposure or blow-drying. It also gives shine and makes styling easier, keeping the hair light.

I've never seen Miley's hair look so lovely. What do you think? Have you tried Leonor Greyl products? Do you like them?

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Are You Down With the New Ombre Hair Trend?

I don't think it's for me, but it really is so 80s-fantastic (think Terri Nunn, lead singer of Berlin) that I can't help but love it. Marie Robinson, celeb colorist at Sally Hershberger Downtown gives us some tips on making the trend work for you.

Who can pull this off?
Teens and young fashionistas are perfect for this! It is also great for anyone in the arts and music industry. (Notice she doesn't say anything about 30-somethings who live in the 'burbs - that totally rules me out!)

Who should avoid this look?
Although the extreme color is beautiful, it is also a little distracting. Anyone that works in a corporate environment should avoid the look. (And they should also avoid green nail polish, which is what I'm getting ready to use right now!)

How do you get this look?
If you want to go for natural tones, then just lighten your mid length and ends at least three shades lighter than your base. Then go back to your last two to three inches and lighten again. If you want to make it a funky color, have your hair professionally bleached and tone with any desired pure pigment shade such as Manic Panic Color. Apply shade at the bottom two to three inches and let it process. Then dilute the remaining color with water and using your fingers work it into the mid-shaft. (Ladies, please, if you want to bleach your hair and use Manic Panic, please find a professional to help you with that. It's not worth it to do it yourself if you want funky color. Please heed my advice on this one.)

Is it hard to maintain?
If you go for natural shades, the color looks better as it grows - so it's very little maintenance! If you use a pure pigment color such as Manic Panic it will need to be refreshed every couple of weeks.

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How To: Preserving Your Blow Out

So, you have the perfect blow out already, and you want to hang on to it for a few days. You're savvy enough to know that washing your hair every day isn't good for it, but how do you keep it looking good? I turned to the experts: other bloggers and beauty mavens on Twitter, and here are a few tips for you:

• @HairHabitat tells me that the key to really preserving your blowout is to make sure the root gets thoroughly dry - a great blowout will last longer than a not-so-great one. Also, go easy on styling products; sometimes less is more.
• @thevixenette points out that the hair around the hairline gets frizziest first, so make sure to pay extra attention to those pieces and flat iron/blow out as necessary. Also, to coil the hair up and pin it on the head before exercising or going to bed. Pin shorter hair up as necessary.
• @BeautyAlchemist is lucky enough to have a mom who is brilliant at the blow out, and swears by a good hairspray like Sebastian Shaper or Bumble and Bumble Spray de Mode.
• Mme. @FournierComm says "laque, laque, laque." In other words, hair spray, hair spray, hair spray! Plus, she recommends sleeping seated in bed. This must involve a lot of pillows!
• @CatMojo recommends dry shampoo like Ojon's formula. She tells us that if you're trying to save a penny or two, try talc powder. Just sprinkle and comb through. She likes the minty Gold Bond formula. Must try!

As for me? The very best tip I can give you is a really weird one. If you suffer from curly or frizzy hair, and the weather is warm, or there is danger of breaking a sweat, take your antiperspirant (deodorant doesn't work, obvs) and swipe it along the hairline on your neck. This keeps all that mess from getting damp from sweat, which prevents curls and frizz.

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For the Men Fridays: Axe Hair Hot Tweeters Promotion

Know a guy who has hot hair? Then he needs to head on over to http://www.hottweeters.com/axehair/ and submit his photo to win a haircut ($50 gift card) and an array of AXE hair products.

And ladies, they need you to judge the entries! I know all of you have opinions on boys' hair, so get on over there and make a few judgement calls!

And look for an AXE hair product review right here soon!

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Sally Hershberger Talks Tips and Trends for Fall

Bored with your summer style? Sally Hershberger says that it's time to rehab that summer hair. Here are a few trend ideas to get you thinking.

Short and layered is big for fall this year. Anything from pixie cuts to shoulder length bobs with layering around the face. It can be styled sleek, sexy and messy, or even over the top like this mohawk/pixie combination.

In case you've missed it, the 80s are all over the place this season. One length bobs are back in a big way, especially with modern layering. This is a versatile, sexy, and easy style to maintain and is a great transition if you're moving from one style to another.

Need some post-summer styling secrets? No problem. Sally's got you covered.

Pull out your blowdryers and turn loose, undone, beachy waves into sexy, textured style. Sally recommends using her SHAGG line, the first line designed specifically for layered hair, which will provide looks like the two above with lift and movement along with texture.

Bring back the shine and make dry hair look healthy and supple again and gives any style a sleek finish.

Spend a little time after the summer nourishing your hair with restorative products such as Sally's SHAGG Rocks Liquid Gel which moisturizes damaged strands.

The SHAGG line is found at Target and HSN.com.

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My New Addiction: John Frieda's Luxurious Volume All Out Hold Hairspray

Remember when I talked about how much I loved my Elnett? Well, I've pushed Elnett to the side for my
Luxurious Volume All Out Hold Hairspray. If you like big hair as much as I do, then you are going to want to give this a try.

First of all, it's honest-to-goodness aerosol spray, which I think is most important for a good hairspray. I grew up in the age of Aqua Net in the white and pink can, so I'm down with the aerosol spray hold.
Luxurious Volume All Out Hold Hairspray does all that Aqua Net used to do while not being Aqua Net. You can still run your fingers through your hair, but on my hair, it holds that root lift that seems to be so elusive. I like to tease the crown of my hair, and if you don't give it a good spray, it will fall throughout the day. This hairspray does a good job of lifting at the root and holding it there without the constant touchups throughout the day.

Not everyone is going to love it, but if you have big hair that needs a lift, give it a whirl.  I'm sure you'll be impressed.

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How To: The Perfect Blow Out

I don't really like paying a small fortune to get my hair blown out. I know it's hard work, and I doubt I could ever get my hair looking as fabulous as it did when I walked out of Blow in New York City (mere hours before I came down with H1N1, so the whole effect was pretty much lost) (but major props to my girl Michelle, who turned me on to it!). But let me tell you girls, with some practice and some good advice, you can get a rockin' blow out going on, and still have some dollars in your wallet to spend on something else.

Before you get started, you need to assemble your tools. If you don't already have them, consider investing in the following essential tools: a 1875 watt blowdryer (I recommend the Rock Star 1875W Tourmaline Ionic Ceramic Dryer); a round boar bristle brush - at least two inches in diameter with ceramic or metal on the inside (something like the Friction Free Round Brush); a root volumizer (like Blow Up Root Lift Concentrate - holla to Blow again!); some large duckbill clips or a few 3/4" Clips, and some spray glosser (try Glisten Spray Gloss for a natural take on glossers).

Once you have all your tools assembled, wash and condition your hair. If your hair is very dry or damaged, consider a deep conditioner like Ojon's Restorative Hair Treatment. If you can leave it on overnight, so much the better. While hair is still damp, work your root lifter in well, and any other styling products you might want to use. Let hair air dry until just almost dry - don't worry about what it looks like or if it's frizzy - we will fix all that.

Next, section your hair and clip with the duckbills or jaw clips. I like to section out the top or crown of my head, each side, and two sections in the back, one along my neckline and one above that. Starting with whichever section you prefer - I always begin in the back, because the hair along my nape is the curliest and the frizziest - with your blow dryer on it's highest setting, remove any remaining moisture, and then use your round brush to pick up a two inch section of hair. Remember, styling hair well always includes two things: heat and tension. Using your brush, pull your hair away from your head (straight out will give you more volume) with your brush, and move the blow dryer and the brush slowly down your hair until it reaches the end of the strands. Do it again if it isn't as smooth as you would like.

At this point, if you're feeling adventurous, you can do what I do and roll the hair all the way up on the brush and apply direct heat with the blowdryer for about 30-45 seconds. Unroll hair gently, and twist the brush on the way out. You'll have a nice large curl for your efforts.

Some people recommend using a cold shot of air on your newly blown out sections. I've never done it, but I've seen it recommended often. Just FYI.

Move methodically through the sections of your hair. I like to start at the bottom and work up. Don't undo each section until you're ready to get to it, and use your clips to move half of the section out of the way.  This entire process really shouldn't take you longer than 15 minutes, and that's if your hair is longer than mine is.

After you have blown out all your sections, use your spray glosser to add a bit of shine and depth. Run your hands through your hair, and you're all set. You can also throw in velcro rollers at this point if you want more bounce and curl. Let them set for about 10 minutes, spray with some hairspray (I swear by Jonathan's Finish Control High Shine - Aerosol hairspray, and gently pull your rollers out.

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