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!

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!

The Oscars are right around the corner and of course we are all about what new celebrity hairstyles will be on the red carpet. A night of high style and glamour takes a lot of attention and vision in bringing a new hair style to the red carpet. These trends and looks are what gives us inspiration to try out new hair styles on our own. Updating your look by taking a style ripped from the red carpet can be a life changing thing, or a complete disaster. Overall, you can never go wrong with updating your current ‘do’.

Updating your look with bangs is the perfect way to feel refreshed and updated. Bangs can add definition and a little bit of sex appeal to any hair style. Although there are many different ways to wear, style and cut bangs, the Sweeping Side Bangs seem to be the hottest ongoing trend
Many celebrities including, Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Kate Winslet and Nicole Richie, have rocked out the sweeping side bangs. So go for it, and opt for the sweeping bangs for a sexy look. The deep asymmetric part allows for the bold bang to bring all the attention to you and especially your eyes.

Source: Flickr User Clemato

Source: Flickr User http://dirtywhorelebrity.com/

Red Carpet Romantic Celebrity Curls

Celebrities love, and can’t seem to get enough of, long, loose curls. Being quite the versatile look, curls can be worn down for a dramatic, sexy look or pulled back loosely in a side bun for a more sophisticated appeal. Either way, these hairstyles of romantic curls are perfect for any special evening of glamour. The Red Carpet continues to reflect the romantic curl hair styles as seen by Sarah Jessica Parker and Julia Roberts to name a few. These celebrities have created new celebrity hairstyles that have taken the industry by storm.

Source: Flicker User http://dirtywhorelebrity.com/

Source: Flickr User Top Class

Pretty and Polished Celebrity Hair Looks

Bold, chunky, and extravagant jewelry has gained great popularity throughout the red carpet. To perfectly show off stunning jewelry statements, hairstyles are being swept to the side and behind the ears. Kim Kardashian and Michelle Monaghan adore this feminine and striking hair look. This hairstyle trend was also spotted on the runways of New York’s Fashion Week, ultimately inspiring many celebrity beauty looks for this year’s red carpet rendezvous.

Source: Flickr User Habit of a lifetime

Source: Flickr User Mark 32277

glows Pick: Alterna Caviar Leave-In Conditioner- Available in Brunette, Blonde and Redhead Protection.

DIY steps:

1. Start by applying a leave in mousse to the roots and all the way to the ends of damp or dry hair. Try: Aussie’s Mousse + Leave-In Conditioner This will add extra moisture to the hair before styling and also make combing a breeze! Glows Pick: Alterna Caviar Leave-In Conditioner- Available in Brunette, Blonde and Redhead Protection.
2. With a fine-toothed comb, make a clean side part and blow dry with a round brush until your hair is smooth.
3. Finally finish by bending the flatiron on beveled edges or a curling iron to define your curls.
4. To polish the ends, use hairspray on large sections.

glow’s Pick:  Nick Chavez body Building Hair Spray

Always have fun with your hair. Taking a leap of faith and updating your look will not only look great, but be a huge booster in confidence. Something as simple as a new hair do can completely change your appearance and complement your assets.

Carly is currently a student at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising majoring in Beauty Industry Marketing and Merchandising

For those of you who don’t know, the cold winter climate can cause serious damage to all hair types if you don’t use the right products to protect it. During the cold winter months, many people experience dry, dull and brittle hair. The cold weather also causes your hair and scalp to dry out more, which is something I have experienced firsthand.

Even though I live in Southern California, where the winters aren’t too harsh, I still hit up the local mountain resorts throughout the winter for all-day snowboarding sessions. Because of this, I have noticed that my hair has become super dull and has been seriously lacking in the volume department. I realized I needed a quick fix to help bring my hair back to life. After taking the time to look for a simple hair treatment, I decided to try PHYX by KRONOS, an overnight anti-aging hair product (yes, we even have to worry about our hair aging!). This became one of the best decisions I have ever made for my hair.

This overnight miracle treatment is clinically proven to bring life back to your hair, giving it the youthful appearance it deserves. The bottle instructed to apply PHYX to your hair before bedtime and leave it in until the morning. You are advised to repeat this treatment two to three times a week, but, since I prefer a simple beauty routine, I decided to go with two. It’s been two weeks and I have already noticed my hair coming back to life. My hair is now more soft and manageable, and has more volume. I definitely recommend PHYX to anyone in desperate need of a winter hair makeover. It’s the ultimate beauty rest that your hair needs!

Source: flickr.com user Brent Borreson

Loose Waves
By far the easiest look to create, loose waves look best on those who have long hair (at least a couple of inches below the shoulders). All you need is a large barrel curling iron (1 inch or larger) and a thermal hair treatment like Warren-Tricomi Hot-Set Spray.

1. Lightly mist thermal styling spray on dry hair. Wait for it to dry.

2. Take 2-inch sections of hair and wrap a section at a time around the barrel of the curling iron (no need to clamp) while holding on to the ends of your hair. Leave for a 10-15 seconds then release. Work all the way around your head.

3. If you have thick hair, you may need to divide your hair into two sections, top and bottom, and work your way from the bottom up.

4. Once you’ve curled your entire head, spray again with a thermal spray or hairspray. Allow to dry. Then, run your fingers through your hair to loosen the waves.

Source: flikr.com user Kinnéidigh Garrett

Braids
One of my favorite styles of the year, braids have made a comeback in a big way. So, if you’re skilled in the art of weaving those strands, then this is the look for you. All you need is spray wax, or other hair products that will add texture to your hair like Alterna Beach Spray, and your fingers. Don’t stress over perfection, messy is in!

1. Mist the spray wax over your entire head. Then run your fingers through your hair to work in the product.

2. Part your hair on the side. A messy part is fine.

3. Take a large section of hair from the top of your head and create a loose french braid, adding large sections as you work your way toward your neck.

4. As you braid, make sure to pull the braid toward your face rather than the back of your head.

5. On the opposite side, pull the hair loosely back over your ear in a low braid. Join both sections in the back in a messy bun.

Want more hairstyle ideas? Check out these beauty tips from Allure.

The solution to my hair problem was helped by one product that I can honestly swear by. Using an overnight conditioning treatment when you have colored hair is a must. It brings shine, moisture and vibrancy back into damaged hair and can make all the difference. The night before the races, I used Kronos Phyx Overnight Repair Masque. I can’t lie, this product can be a little pricey but it’s worth every penny. You put it on at night and can sleep on it, then wash it out in the morning and tada! Shinier, healthier hair just like that.

The next thing to do was taking care of my skin. It was dry and aching for some moisture, since my busy life hasn’t allowed me to pay much attention to it. I can’t stress enough how important it is to moisturize your skin everyday regardless of your skin type. My skin is naturally on the dry side, but the fall and winter season definitely amp up the dryness. Since my skin was pretty dry, I didn’t want to use anything harsh to exfoliate, but it was that time of the week to do so. Using a fine grained sugar scrub, I gently massaged it in tiny circles around my face. No pulling, no frantic scrubbing, just a motion that was easy, but good enough to get the job done. Next thing on the list is to finish up with a hydrating toner and a moisturizer. I absolutely love Jason Organic’s moisturizer because it’s not too oily, but sits perfect on my skin while hydrating it, and if i wanted to put on makeup afterwards it doesn’t compromise any of the makeup product application. Since I used a hydrating toner that does my skin wonders, I didn’t need to use a heavier moisturizer. You can substitute the moisturizer and toner for a moisturizer that’s a bit heavier for great results also.

Waking up the morning of, my hair was hydrated, and my skin was soft and supple. After a regimen like that and some tender love and care to your hair and skin, you’re not just ready for the day but you’ve got a more confident self. Now on to the next thing on the list – to win..

Step 1: Take a shower (yes, that means washing your hair too)

Step 2: Blow dry your hair with a straight brush or round brush as usual.

Step 3: Separate hair into two sections, a top and bottom section (a horizontal line from ear to ear). Next divide the top section into three smaller layers, twist and secure each layer at the top of the head with a hair clip.

Step 4: Spray bottom section of hair. I prefer Jonathan Product for my hair products.

flickr user: JamesDPhotography

Step 5: Start with the bottom section of hair and work with one-inch sections, flat-iron hair from the root and stop right at one or two inches from the ends. Then use the flat-iron as if it was a curling iron; wrap the closed flat-iron around the straightened hair and hold for 3 seconds. Repeat throughout bottoms section of hair, alternate the direction of the curl with each piece.

Step 6: Wrap three curls/waves into a loose braid and wind into rosettes, securing them loosely against the head with clips (this helps set the curls).

Step 7: Repeat steps with additional layers of hair, moving upwards and leaving the top layer untouched.

Step 8: Release remaining top section of hair from clip and create a middle part from forehead to crown.

Step 9: Separate two-inch long pieces of hair along the middle part. Hold sections vertically between two fingers and backcomb the bottom two inches of hair, closest to the root. Flat-iron each backcombed section to enhance volume and spray entire piece.

Step 10: Repeat curling technique with each two-inch piece but looser this time.

Step 11: Remove all hair clips, letting each rosette fall and roughly rake fingers throughout to loosen curls/waves. Spray evenly to amplify volume and secure hold.

Step 12: Finish the look by parting your hair the way you’d like.

Source: Talkingmakeup.com

Now you’re ready to party! Let’s just hope the music will be good.

flickr user: Lif…’s photostream

Fall – The weather is getting colder, leaves are changing colors (everywhere except sunny southern CA) and after months of torturing your hair with sun exposure, pools and highlights, your hair is ready for a change. Good-bye highlights; hello warmer, softer colors and moisturizing hair products. Here are few fall hair trends and tips that are easy to implement and will give you “good hair” as actor Chris Rock says.  

Hair Color: Obvious streaks (think zebra stripes) of color are out and randomly placed soft color to add dimension, depth and texture are in.  Over the past year, I noticed that my hair had become really blonde. Since I have a little one on the way, I wanted a hair color that would be easier to maintain.  My hairstylist recently updated my look by giving me a darker base color, adding lowlights throughout my whole head but for old-time’s sake, keeping a few highlights around my face. The end result was awesome! Not only did the color have great depth and texture (a must this fall); but, I was able to go 8 weeks in between appointments. Woo hoo! In this economy great value is essential.

Hair Care:  Your once gorgeous mane is probably dry, frizzy and static-prone right about now due to temperature drops and wind chills.  During fall and winter months hair care is all about moisture!  A simple tip is to sleep with a humidifier on at night. The humidifier helps keep your skin and hair from drying out by adding moisture to the air. Another way to fight off frizz is to use a deep conditioning or hair treatment mask once a week. My favorite is Frederic Fekkai’s Anti-Breakage Treatment Mask.  My hair feels so soft and healthy after using it.  

Hair Accessories: Hats are the ideal fall accessory. They add instant drama to the simplest outfit; plus, they help protect your hair from the elements. 2Threads.com lists berets, head scarves and knitted hats as must have items this year.

When I think stylish hats, I can’t help but picture Gossip Girl’s Blaire Waldorf.  Who do you picture? Please share.