Source: flickr.com user c pichler

With Gwen Stefani’s new hairstyle, you might be considering adding a little fringe to your ‘do. And no matter how much I tell my hair clients not to cut their own bangs, they rarely listen. So, if you’re going to do it, then I figured I’d give you the steps to do it right. Word to the wise: trimming existing bangs is much easier than cutting bangs from scratch. But, I’ll explain both ways, just in case you aren’t patient enough to make it to the salon. You must use haircutting shears. Kitchen scissors will not work.

Blunt Bangs (Straight Across)

1. Start with dry hair
Although professionals often cut bangs wet, it’s easier for you to make a mistake if they are wet. So, begin with dry hair combed forward. If you hair has natural curl or wave, flat iron the hair before cutting.

2. Decide on the amount of bangs
If you don’t know how much you want, the natural fall of bangs is determined by starting just under the highest point of your head. Lay a comb flat on top of your head. In the front, notice the point where the head curves and no longer touches the comb, that’s where you can begin your bangs. For thinner bangs, you can begin your bangs closer to your hairline.

3. Section off bangs
With a fine-tooth comb, section off the front area of hair that you would like to be your bangs. You can do a thin section or a thicker section, however always part in an upside-down U shape. Make sure your U parting is not too wide. You don’t want to include the temple area where your hairline grows closer to the face. If you do, you’ll have super-short pieces that will often stick out.

4. Begin your cut
The primary mistake people make when cutting bangs is to begin on one side and cut to the other. You will never have a straight line this way. Instead, the trick is to begin in the middle and work your way outward. I recommend point-cutting, which means to hold your shears vertically (45 degree angle) rather than horizontally and cut small little pieces gradually working your way from the middle to the outside edge for each side of the bangs. Rounding down, meaning leaving the side pieces a little longer than the middle, often looks more natural.

5. Always start longer
The rule of thumb is to always cut your bangs ½ to ¾ inch longer than you actually want them and trim more if necessary.

6. Finish your look
Apply a styling cream or hairspray to keep your bangs in place all day.

Trimming existing bangs
1. Start with dry hair and bangs combed forward.
2. Begin point-cutting in the middle and work your way out.
3. Remove only 1/8 to ¼ inch depending on how much shorter you want them.

If you’re interested in sideswept bangs, check out this how to cut your own bangs video.

For most of my life, I’ve had just about every blonde hair shade and for a long time bleach blonde hair. It fits my personality, it’s my persona, it’s my signature, I ooze blonde. I’ve modeled with it, loved with it and most importantly my blonde hair and I have gone through some adventures together. I also plan my hair styles and shades accordingly with my moods and the seasons (yes I’m obsessive with my hair). My hair is my baby, and it’s taken years and years of work and maintenance to get that certain shade of blonde that I absolutely love and for it to be in suitable condition-it by no means was ever “fried” like you see the straw hats some blondes wear on their heads. The thought of going dark has swirled around in my brain for a long time but I’ve never had the cajones to actually go through with it. Going through such a drastic change takes mental preparation and prepare I did indeed, because the last time I went dark, 2 weeks later I was missing the blonde.

Preparing myself for the drastic change, I needed some hair color help. The perfect color that I needed is going to complement my eyes and skin tone and that alone is very important. If you’re having trouble finding exactly what color you’d like to go with look around for inspiration. There are many colors around you every day and taking a picture of something you see to your hairstylist will get you two on the same page when telling them what you want. First stop, the local wig shop. I had a certain color and style in mind but what else would be better than just trying it on? If you have never been to a wig shop you’re missing out. I can spend hours there trying on every single color and style they have. In this process take pictures of what you look like with different hair styles and colors. This is great to do so you can come back and compare for reference when making your color decision. After trying on chocolate, burgundy, mahogany and a lighter brown, I had a good idea of what would work with my eyes, face shape and undertones. After much consideration and influenced by TV shows, wigs and outside colors I made my decision. The next step is to get ready to take the plunge.

Lucky for me my super amazing hair stylist was more than ready and willing to change up my style. When you’re about to do something drastic with your hair I highly recommend going to someone who’s great with color, has a resume and knows what they are doing. Going to a random person that isn’t familiar with your hair texture and chemistry can be disastrous. Monique Cardenas from Harroin Salon is my go-to hair lady. She has an impressive resume and lucky for me her specialties are bobs and color. After sitting down with her for 2-3 minutes she practically read my mind and knew exactly what I wanted. On a side note, your hair stylist should connect with you and get what YOU want, not what THEY want, then interpret that into something fabulous. The countdown to my hair being saturated with color began. Last chance to back out. I’m not exaggerating when I say that panic mode kicked in. Will it look good? What if it’s not the right color? What if I hate it and want my blonde back? This is where your mental preparation beforehand comes into play and your stylist (or in this case new psychologist) should be right there to talk you through it.

The coloring began; first color was an orange to fill in from the blonde. (Not a very good look on me by the way). After washing that out the next color came on, about two more times. From there all I could feel was excitement for the outcome and stayed away from looking in the mirror until it was done. After much anticipation the final product was unveiled and I was thrilled. It was dark and the perfect hair color, but my emotions went blank. The period of emotional shock had begun. I was so happy to have a changed hair color, but emotionally I was missing my oomph inside. This may hit you as well, just be prepared it took me about a week for reality to finally set in. Here’s the thing. I knew I looked good and I may be conceited for saying that but I did and I felt great. This weird sense of nothing just struck me out of nowhere. Over the next few days I was asked “how do you like it?” I love it but no form of utter excitement that I knew was there would come out in my response. You don’t just get over it, but we are creatures of adaptation and that’s exactly what I needed to do.

Before...

After!

Here I am three weeks later and I feel like a better, sexier version of myself. I am a woman of many looks and I’ll never be bored or scared to take a leap of faith with my style. It’s like J. Michelle 2.0 and I couldn’t be happier with my hairstyle. Don’t ever be afraid to change up your look it’ll make you more confident and most likely bring on a new improved attitude. Change may be exactly what you need to get out of a rut. Remember; hair grows back, and if you’re taking a risk you have to work it inside and out. If you’re ever in doubt, ask your trusty hairstylist or friends. Changing your hair color drastically is a big step and you just have to be ready for it. Never ask “what is this hair color going to do for me?” The correct outlook is “what am I going to do for this hair color?”

P.S. The great thing about changing your hair color is experimenting with different shades and color palettes of makeup to go along with it. Have fun!

Rachel McAdams Source: Flickr User bitstream

1. Messy Side-Braid

• Nicole Richie loves to rock this effortless side-braid.

2. Straight Hair

• Leaves the curls to the girly girls, no one can mess with long luscious straight locks; add some volume and wispy bangs to soften it up.  Reese Witherspoon pulls this off perfectly.

3. Ballerina Bun

• Show off what your momma gave ya, the Ballerina Bun is great to showcase your shoulders and that new pair of earrings you just bought.

4. High Bun

• If you aren’t a tu-tu kinda girl, try out the High Bun with an accessory to pull your hair out of your face and have some fun!

Carry Mulligan Source: flickr user capital_m

5. Pixie Cut

• Dare you to do it. Carey Mulligan did it.

6. Side Pony

• Saddle up and pull it to the side.   This look is great for a girl who is on the go like Lauren Condrad.

7. Deep Side Part

• For a sexier appeal try the deep side part and you will be turning heads left and right.

For more views of these kickin hair styles check out Best Summer Hairstyles for 2010 from Elle!

Jehan

Not so Justin Drew Bieber. In a scant year, the Canadian comet has rocketed to the tip-top of every chart.  At parties from Willliamsburg, Brooklyn, to Eagle Rock, California, when the conversation turns to cultural “humongos,” his name is on the tip of every tastemaker’s tongue. Justin Bieber is not a pop culture flash in the pan. No.  He is part of the landscape, as iconic as the Empire State Building, Rushmore, or The Rolling Stones.

Speaking of the Rolling Stones, Keith Richards was famous for his hair-do.  Every 10 or 15 years, it comes back in style.  Like Elvis’s pompadour, or the Beatles mop-tops, or Frank Sinatra’s glorious toupée, perhaps nothing is so much an indicator of true fame as a celebrity’s hair style that becomes eponymous with its arbiter.  And I am here to tell you, that just as a man can walk into any barber shop in the world and request a Cesar cut, so too will we one day walk into any salon and say “Do me a Bieber.”

Hail Bieber!

Kieth -- The Rocker Cut

Elvis -- The Pompadour

Franks Sinatra's Cesear Cut was really a rad wig

Justin Bieber Live, sporting the famous Bieber cut. Nice shades, Biebs!!!!

Here’s a little sumthin-sumthin for all y’all Bieber boners out there!!!:

And Here’s Justin Bieber singing.  Brilliant.

Source: flickr.com user Cam Switzer

One of the most common questions I’ve been asked about hair care lately is what I think about sulfates. No doubt, marketers have been having a heyday with this popular ingredient. It seems the sulfate-free stamp is on everything these days, so I thought I’d share a few hair care tips about the pros and cons of sulfates.

Let’s start at the beginning. Many people don’t even know what sulfates are, which only feeds fears when people are told they are bad. Plain and simple, sulfates are detergents that help a shampoo to cleanse and foam.

There are several types of sulfates, including Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Sodium Myreth Sulfate and Tea Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates.

The Pros and Cons
In hair care shampoos, sulfates are very effective at removing dirt, oil and environmental debris from your hair and scalp. It’s important to understand that cleansers are necessary for a healthy scalp. They prevent a buildup of dead skin and debris, which can clog the hair follicles and result in damaged hair or hair loss.

The main sulfate problem hair care brands have been playing up on their packaging is that sulfates can contribute to fading hair color. This is true. However, it’s not only true about sulfates, but also any other cleanser. In fact, there are several things that cause hair color fading, including tap water, blow dryers and flat irons.

Another big concern I hear from people is that sulfates strip the hair of oils resulting in dryness. I’m not sure why this comes as a surprise to people. That’s what cleansers do. They have to remove the oils because the oils are mixed with all the gunk you’ve encountered throughout the day. Conditioners are for restoring moisture and oils to the hair once the hair is clean.

It’s also true that sulfates can cause skin and eye irritation over time, and some products containing Sodium Lauryl and Laureth Sulfates have been found to have very low levels of 1,4-dioxane, which has the potential to cause cancer in animals. Still, the American Cancer Society does not consider any sulfate a known carcinogen.

If you want to avoid these potential hazards, you can use products with other sulfates. Sodium Myreth Sulfate and Tea Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates have been found to be mild and gentle.

What to Expect from Sulfate Free Shampoo
I’ve had several hair clients come to me over the years complaining of greasy, limp hair that just won’t hold a style. My first question is what kind of shampoo they’ve been using. Often, they’ve selected a natural hair treatment that’s free of sulfates. What they don’t realize is that’s their problem. Without sulfates, or some sort of super-effective cleanser, dirt, oil and styling products will build up on the hair, leaving it dull and lifeless.

So, even though their color may not have faded and their locks may not be dry, they’ve still managed to zap their hair of life and vitality by refusing to give it a deep-down clean.

My Verdict
I do believe in putting as few chemicals into your body as possible. So, when it comes to supporting shampoo without sodium laureth sulfate or any of the other sulfates, I’m all for it. However, I would recommend using a shampoo with sulfates once a week to remove build-up. That way, you can get the best of both worlds.

Flickr User: Evil Erin

Biolustre is a 6-step hair care treatment system that repairs damaged hair with a synthetic, restructuring polymer similar to natural hair.  I was hesitant at first to use the hair care system because I thought I wouldn’t have the attention span to complete the 6-step process. But me being me, I decided to push the envelope and use the treatment before my dinner plans that night. Not only did I complete the multi-step process within an hour but the difference in my hair’s texture was immediate as well as the color and shine. I wasn’t the only person that noticed a difference: my husband, my friends and my coworkers all commented on the difference they could see in my hair. The most valuable opinion was from my hairstylist. She felt my hair and commented on what a difference there was.

So if your damaged hair is putting a damper on your life, definitely try this system. It’s important to note that following the instructions is crucial. Doing so will give you the ultimate results. Oh, last but not least…I tried this system about a month ago and my hair is still healthy and shiny as ever!

SmartLash can fix Hypotrichosis, also known as inadequate eyelashes, in as little as 7 days! It has a gentle formula that users peptides instead of prostaglandin to help improve the look of your lashes AND brows. Here are a few reasons why you should choose SmartLash Eyelash Enhancer as opposed to other products:

1. It provides results in as little as 7 days!
2. It has a clinically tested formula that features clinically tested ingredients.
3. It is Prostaglandin-free (competitors are not).
4. Works on BOTH lashes and brows.
5. Sensitive skin isn’t irritated.

So you think your eyelashes or brows don’t need a boost? You might be right but if you have that one special event: a/your wedding, your birthday, high school reunion, spring formal etc. SmartLash Eyelash Enhancer will be your golden ticket to stealing the spotlight. Maybe you want to use less mascara or enhance the look and color of your lashes and brows without caking all that make up on them, then SmartLash Eyelash Enhancer is for you.

It’s easy to use and clean to use. Be sure to shake the tube before each use. Then apply Smartlash twice a day (morning and evening) to the eyelid skin at the base of the lashes (do not apply directly to the lashes). You can apply to the base of both the upper and lower lashes. However, you must allow it to dry fuller before putting on mascara or eyeliner. You can also apply it to your eyebrow however you desire.

What are you waiting for? Go get the lashes you deserve (in 2 days)!  The product will be available Thursday, March 18^th @ glow.com.

Comment below and tell us your worst hair story to enter to win!

5 Lucky winners will receive the ENTIRE Neil George hair line worth over $250!!

**5 winners will be chosen at random. Post a comment and tell us what your worst hair story  on glow’s Neil George Hair Horror Stories  Giveaway. Giveaway starts on 3/15/10 and ends 3/29/10 at 11:59pm PST. Winners will be announced during the time of 3/30/10 –4/06/10. If any winners do not reply within 5 business days of being contacted, another winner will be chosen.**

Every year millions of people tune in to watch the celebs hit the red carpet for the very prestigious Oscar Awards. This year’s event was star packed with some of the most beautiful and talented celebrities of the industry. Not only was attention taken to their extraordinary talents and gorgeous gowns, but their celebrity beauty looks as well. Although difficult to choose only a few, here are some of my top favorite beauty eye makeup and hair looks of the 87^th Annual Oscars.

Source: Flicker User >(meemoo)<

“Blindside” star Sandra Bullock and best actress winner hit the Red Carpet, unstoppable. This has certainly been her year from winning People’s Choice Awards to Oscars, its Sandra’s time to shine.
Sandra was drop dead gorgeous at this year’s Oscars Red Carpet in a gold Marchesa gown. As for her beauty look, Sandra kept her hair simple and her lips luscious red. Worn down with a slight curl accent, Sandra’s hair look was sleek and effortless. Keeping the hair simple allowed her to really intensify her makeup look. The bright red lips added extra spice to this sweet yet stunning actress. With an escalating amazing career, fabulous personality, and dazzling beauty, Sandra Bullock really is the perfect 10.

For Sandra’s bright lips try:

glow’s pick:   DuWop Lipomousse – Sorbet in Baked Apple

glow’s pick for sleek shiny hair:  Kronos – Krystal High Gloss Shine Spray

Although not a 2010 Oscar winner, Jennifer Lopez wins our glowing beauty award. With such an extravagant and drop dead gorgeous gown by Armani Prive, Jennifer Lopez’s makeup look was delicate and beautiful. Her cheek bones were kept looking sky high with a perfectly placed highlighter. Her glowing beauty was also reflected through her flawless skin and peachy cheeks. Jennifer’s lips were kept in the same color family as her cheeks as a slightly deeper tone. This makeup look is key to achieve radiant overall glowing beauty.

For J Lo’s peachy cheeks try glow’s:   Julie Hewett’s Cheekie – Cheek & Lip Shine Pot in Peachie

glow’s pick for J Lo’s highlighted cheek bones:  Lorac Oil – Free Luminizer – L1 in Pearl

Source: Temptalie

The same goes for Nicole Richie… not an “Oscar winner” but definitely a beauty winner! Her look is a mix of dramatic sexy with 60’s hipster inspired beauty. Amongst the bold midnight blue shadow, black liner was smudge in her crease. To brighten and open up her eyes, white shadow was used below her brow bone. To complete her peep show, Nicole’s eyes were winged with liquid jet black liner. A beauty look that captivates the eyes has always been one of my favorites as well. With glowing skin, nude luscious lips and a slicked back sophisticated bun, what else is to be said? Nicole Richie is and will continue to be a style beauty icon of our time.

glow’s pick:  gloSmoky Eye Kit

glow’s pick:   Babor Liquid Eyeliner – Black

A night of beauty went by in the blink of an eye. But these females sure left their mark on the beauty world with their stunning gowns and makeup looks. These trends will be forever remembered and appreciated not only on the Red Carpet but on the catwalks and sidewalks alike. We’ll see you next year, same time, same place at the 2011 Academy Awards!