I enlisted my best friends to show you how to look sexy in seconds on BetterTV. Now, I'm not makeup artist or hair stylist, but I demoed a hair and makeup trick on each of them. If you look closely, you'll notice I leave my friend Michele with a nice black eye at the end. (#oops )But you get the jist! Watch the segment after the jump.
It's true. This season, what's old is new again. Surprised? As the fashion cycle goes, clothing inspired by the 1940's walked the runways and of course, hair and makeup completed the looks making retro styles a major fall beauty trend. I got the scoop from Celebrity Makeup Artist, Katie Robinson and Celebrity Hair Stylist, Jennifer Brent on how to rock the look in the modern day.
Makeup: "Whether grunge or mod, most of these trends lend themselves to experimental eyeliner, which is so fun," Robinson explains. "Experimenting with various styles of liner can take your look from the everyday to the exotic." She recommends trying CoverGirl Ink It! Perfect Point Plus Eye Liner to create different looks. "You can draw a precise cat eye or smudge it before it dries for a rebellious ‘90s look."
Hair: "My favorite retro look this season is the glam side sweep ala Veronica Lake," Brent states. "For bombshell waves, use a fat barrel curling iron or wand and curl away from your face. Then, after curling each section, gently tug on the curl until it cools for a loose, wavy look." She recommends finishing with Pantene’s Anti-Humidity Maximum Hold Hairspray and smoothing the All-in-One Styling Balm through the ends. "They’re great holding tools with lots of shine when applied to a deep side part or big waves."
I'm not one to wear my hair curly, simply because I can't. It takes hot tools and an army to give my hair any sort of wave. However, there was a time, back in college, when my best friend Michele and I thought it was cool to try scrunching our hair with gel. I'm not kidding. Unlike me, Michele has a natural wavy texture so she can oomph it up with the right products if she wanted. I ended up with crunchy, half straight, half kinked hair that looked and felt like hay. I recently had Michele put Paul Mitchell's latest product to the test that promises "crunch free curls."
Sure enough, the lucky biotch that she is ended up with smooth, defined waves. The secret to her smoothness is Paul Mitchell Curls Twirl Around. "I was just in Italy and didn't have access to a hair dryer," Michele comments. "I just rubbed the product in my hands ran it through my hair when it was damp and let it air dry."
If I let my hair air dry, it looks the same as if I spent 20 minutes blow drying it! Straight! While some people say they'd kill for my hair, I wish I had at least a wave. Check out the new Paul Mitchell Curls Collection at salons near you and confess your curly hair drama on their Facebook page using the #curlconfession.
Most of us have a love/hate relationship with our hair. We all want what we can't have, right? Well I was blessed with pin straight fine hair. That's literally how it dries when I get out of the shower. No blow drier needed. While many are jealous of my frizz free locks, I'm jealous of those with texture, thickness and curls! Don't you find yourselves having this convo with your friends? Well, curly haired girls, pay attention, Paul Mitchell has something for you.
Share your "Curl Confession" on their Facebook page. Being that I have straight hair and will try anything for a decent wave, I always assumed that curls were easy to work with. As in, people with really curly or kinky hair wake up with gorgeous curls. After watching some of the curl confession videos (specifically a fellow blogger friend of mine, Christina's, pictured above, who's in the ad campaign) I found out I was wrong!
Share your curl confession on their FB and even with me on Twitter using the hashtag #curlconfession I'm curious!
*This is a sponsored post.
I had so much fun with Audra Lowe and JD on Better TV DIYing some summer hair solutions. If your color's fading, hair's feeling dry and fried or completely frizzy check out the video. I have to say, I was prepping for this with my intern, Emily and we had a blast DIYing in my kitchen. If you have a night off, I highly recommend doing some of these things with your BFF.
Two months ago I partnered with Clearasil for prom season offering a red carpet makeover to a contest winner (see post). Well, the winner was chosen and the makeover was a blast! Check out the video of the makeover in action. I had a great time working with the Clearasil team on this project and working with makeover candidate, Amanda.
Hello from Aruba! Yes, I'm taking a time out from NYC for some R&R with my fam and Joe. Even though I just colored my hair, the sun, salt water and chlorine are not going to stand in my way of a fun beach vacay, nor should they stand in yours all summer long. However, we all know they can really wreck havoc on our manes! Here are three easy ways to save your locks from summer's elements.
Add moisture:
Blend half of an avocado with two tablespoons of olive oil and apply the mixture to damp hair. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then shampoo and condition as normal.
Rid frizz:
Use coconut oil. Rub a dime sized amount in between your hands and then smooth it through your strands and braid them loosely. When you're ready to free them, your hair will have beachy waves with a nice sheen.
Boost faded color:
Tea treatments really work. If you're blonde, opt for chamomile, and if you're brunette, go with black tea. Steep four tea bags in one gallon boiling water for five minutes and let it cool before pouring it onto damp hair. Allow the tea to sit for about 10 minutes and rinse.
One of the reasons I love my job is because I'm lucky enough to have Ashley Greene's stylist on my speed dial. Hey, you never know when you may need cover worthy texturized waves. Right? The geniuses behind red carpet hair and makeup looks are who I consider celebrities, really, really talented ones. I spoke to a few of my faves who work on stars like Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Sofia Vergara, and Jennifer Aniston (to name a few) to get their biggest secrets.
My styling trick is that I use a curling iron on hair in smaller sections. Then, after curling the entire head I come back with a flat iron. This creates an amazing texture and smooth sleekness for the hair. - Ted Gibson
My secret eyeshadow trick, whenever I do a big hairdo I will ask my clients makeup artist for an eyeshadow that is close to their natural hair color and fill in their part on the hairline. Especially on brunettes, it makes the hair look fuller and thicker. - Jen Atkin, Celebrity stylist for Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy
I'm all about layering! To get your makeup last longer, apply liquids and creams first and then powders on top to set them. - Mai Quynh
After preparing your hairstyle take your favorite control hairspray and spray it on our brush. Then, simply brush it through your hair and distribute evenly over the length of the hair from the roots to the ends. This will allow your style to maintain its bounce and style. - Sascha Breuer
Wrap a small section of hair around a curling iron. After the hair is warmed thoroughly, carefully unwrap the curled hair from the iron and while the section is still warm give it just a light tug. Pulling lightly on the hair allows the wave to settle a bit. This creates that great easy going wave pattern that's cool and easy for summertime! - John D., Tresemme Celebrity Stylist
The trick to looking wide eyed and bushy tailed is this: Chalky White Matte eyeshadow. I use a little with a fluffy eye blender brush and blended it onto the cheek bone and lightlty pulled that into the under eye area. the final touch was placed on the inner corner of her eyes as well as underneath her lower lash line. - Kate McCarthy, Celebrity Makeup Artist for glominerals
To get truly natural looking beach texture, spritz slightly damp hair with a little bumble and bumble surf spray and section hair into four rough peices. Braid each section and finish drying the braided section with a hairdryer and let cool. When you take the braids out, you will have beautiful but uneven texture that can be pieced out with a little hair creme. - Alex Polillo
Celebrity Stylist, Jen Atkin has her hands in everyone's hair in Hollywood working with leading ladies and men including George Clooney, Penelope Cruz, Emma Stone, Sofia Vergara, Jessica Alba and Nicole Richie to name a few. Atkin dishes about working with Sofia Vergara for the Met Gala and her number one tip for strong, beautiful hair, which is why she's now the spokesperson for Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy.
What do you like better, working with the women or the men?
The one thing I've noticed is all of my clients, regardless of who they are, want to feel confident and beautiful. I feel really lucky being able to do what I do and collaborate with them, try different looks, and recommend the right products, to help bring out their own style.
Do you like that being a stylist has given you the opportunity to work with both women and men?
Whether a man or a woman, my clients get all of my attention. It's a lot of fun working with both men and women. The whole process of getting to know people, listening to them, and finding a mutual vision for what they want their hair style to be is always exciting and rewarding.
Who have you worked with lately and what did you do?
I had the opportunity of working with Sofia Vergara for the 2012 MET Ball. She is a great client and friend of mine, so we always have a fun time working together. I thought she looked stunning in her Marchesa dress.
What's the number one request you receive from your female clients? How do you achieve it?
Women want to look and feel confident, and hair is a big part of that. Whatever look they’re going for, my clients all want strong, beautiful hair. And to get them there, I tell my clients start at the source: the roots. I love the Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy line of shampoos and conditioners because it gently cleanses & nourishes the scalp and hair, creating the right foundation for strong, beautiful hair. This makes styling a lot easier!
Every morning as I sit at my desk I have a very strict morning show routine to accompany my cup of coffee. First up, Kelly Ripa is in my living room. Religiously. She doesn't know it yet, but we're BFF's. If you watch too, you'll know that she's been experimenting with hair extensions this year and is now addicted. Being that I'm a huge fan of hers and love the natural boost her extensions added I had to find out the scoop! I spoke with her extension guru, Ryan Trygstad from the Marie Robinson Salon in NYC and he spilled!
"The first time Kelly and I met was the first time she got extensions and ever since I have been doing her a lot for different events the last few months," Trygstad commented. "I consider her a friend, a really funny friend."
Kelly wanted both fullness and some length. Trygstad used Great Lengths, because the keratin bond is safe and the color and texture selection is vast. I had Great Lengths before and was completely obsessed with them!
"Being on a daily talk show her hair is heat styled everyday and it was in so need of some help to bring some life back to it!"
For the everyday girl, Trygstad suggests using clip-ins to get Kelly's look, but make sure they're real hair so you can style them just like your own hair. For those who would like to make a little bit of an investment he recommends trying his customized extensions, TryBeauty Falls. They fit on top of your head with a fishing-line like halo that allows it to just sit securely without glue or clips. I'm thinking about going for a consultation since I'm obsessed with my clip-ins and am always looking for the next best thing.
Earlier this month I attended a press dinner to celebrate the launch of John Frieda's new products with Celebrity Stylist, Harry Josh at 632 Below in NYC. I was really excited to see Harry Josh, because him and I go way back, as he was one of the first celebrity stylists to blowout my hair six years ago (and it hasn't looked better since). At the time, he was working a ton with Lindsay Lohan and was going to do her hair immediately after mine in the suite next door at the Hotel Gansevoort. These days, his clients include Ashley Olsen, Jennifer Garner, Gwyneth Paltrow and Amanda Seyfried to name a few. Here are his tips on how to get the perfect blowout.
“Taking the time to do it correcting may be an extra ten minutes, but you’ll have gorgeous hair at least 24 hours. It’s not worth rushing it," Josh states.
Step One: Prep
Take note of your hairs weakness and apply a styling product onto clean, damp hair prior to blowing it out. Since my hair is super fine and flat, it needs help in the volume category so I like using a root lifter, specifically L'Oreal EverStyle Volume Lifting Spray. If you have frizzy hair, John Frieda has their ever-so-fab Frizz Ease and if that was too heavy for you, they just launched Sheer Solution Lightweight Frizz Control, which may be your new BFF. I'm also insane about using heat protectant sprays to help prevent damage and just started using their Full Repair Style Revival, which protects, but also aids in the styling process.
Step Two: Submiss it with Heat
Using a boar bristle brush for sleekness, take your hair in 1 to 1 1/2 inch sections and blow dry. Make sure to keep your blow dryer pointed down at your roots and follow the brush to the ends. "Don’t rush, you’ll spend just as much time going back over your hair if you don’t blow it out carefully from the start, and you’ll be styling the same pieces over and over again , which is prime time for breakage," Josh explains.
Step Three: Add Finishing Touches
Depending on your hair type, apply a small amount of the appropriate styling products to finish off your 'do. You may use a tiny bit of serum to finish the smoothing process, but since my hair is so fine I like using a shine spray. My favorite of the moment is Redken 02 Shine Flash, because it's really light weight, yet it does smooth down any frizzies.
Backstage at NYFW for Spring 2012, one of the most striking things I saw (that I really liked) was rose gold strategically placed in the models hair at Peter Som. The highlights were drastic for the runway so the overall look hinted at a punky edge in the girls otherwise flowing waves. Of course leave it to a celeb to step out with the look on the first day of Spring, Mad Men Actress, Miss January Jones.
"We've been doing the same color for about 8 years so I thought it would be fun to try," commented her colorist Jennifer J., a Wella Professional Celebrity Colorist and Co-Founder of Juan Juan Salons. "I brought a bunch of different colors to her house and the color was custom blended there. When it looked perfect, we went for it and the outcome was amazing on her already pastel blonde hair.”
I like them. I liked them on the runway and I like the way they look on January Jones (although I think hers are more pinkish). Of course they'll look different on brunettes (it's harder to lift color and may be Fall already by the time you actually get to rose gold), but you can always fake them like they did backstage. The answer: extensions! I think I want them! Yay or nay?
Tibi designer, Amy Smilovic’s line, typically known for a feminine aesthetic, entered a new direction with a menswear inspired F/W 2012 collection. Lots of tailored silhouettes appeared on the runway, and the hair and makeup definitely had a 1960’s feel (the collection was a take on the Beatles).
Kevin Ryan and Frank Rizzieri for Aveda created variations of messy updos on the models. Basically, the hair was pulled back with a little lift on the crown, to look like the girl just threw her hair back into a bun. They recommend using two elastics when doing an updo, because if one breaks the other will still stay in place. A volumizing tonic was used to give a little oomph to the look. A men’s product called Pure-Formance Grooming Clay was also applied to give hair some hold and chunkiness. They wanted the hair to appear undone and not too precious.
Kim Soane for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics created a cool, effortless look. The statement was a strong brow, keeping the rest of the makeup super clean and natural. The wind burnt cheeks stood out the most. Pink Truffle creamy color for cheeks and lips was applied in a 1960’s way—it was highlighted in the cheekbone, not the whole cheek, giving it a dewy effect. To finish off the look, nails were painted in an opaque white hue by Dashing Diva called NYC Fleet Week. The overall look was understated chic, what any girl aims for!
One of the best things about my job is that I have celeb hair stylists and makeup artists on my speed dial. No lie. If I need a quote for a story, to find out how Sarah Jessica Parker's hair was done for a red carpet or selfishly have a question I always have someone fab to call for advice. Here are some of their most out of the box beauty tips that may be wierd, but work!
For a natural, wavy set of hair, take tin foil and morph it into a rod/cigar shape. Wrap your hair around the it from end to root and then fold it in half to create a clamp. Take a straightening iron clamp it over the tin foil. The finished look will be a beautiful soft wavy buckle. - Rodney Cutler, Founder of Redken/Cutler Salons
When painting eyebrows, use a darker color to define the inner lower, and outer portions and fill in the center with a neutral soft color to create a defined brow that reads in pictures but still looks natural. - NYC New York Color Celebrity Makeup Artist, Mathew Nigara
For sexy bedhead, after curling your hair, spritz hairspray into your brush, then brush out the curl for more defined waves. It's a better techinique to finish and polish the hair than spraying the hairspray directly onto your waves. - Joseph DiMaggio, L’Oréal Professionnel Master Session Artist
My all time favorite tip is to use a highlighting eyeshadow to trace the perimeter of the lips. This makes your lips standout and look fuller without using a lip liner. - Carmindy
Mix lipstick with moisturizer to tone it down and use it on the eye lid. This makes for a great glossy lid look, or you can use it as a base and layer powder shadow on top. - Neutrogena Makeup Artist, Michiko Boorberg
Use Lubriderm lotion as styling product in curly hair. It has the right texture and will save you money on styling product. - T3 Lead Stylist, Dan Sharp.
All weekend I've been checking out the scenes backstage and tweeting the details from @BeautySweetSpot, but I had to share this look with you here as well, because I'm completely and utterly obsessed. Not surprisingly it comes from the glam squads and brains of Rachel Zoe. I went backstage to her show yesterday at the top of the Empire Hotel to find a surprisingly calm scene, but the look was all about rock and roll. Think Kate Moss leaving a speak easy night club on a Thursday night. I want to look like this every night!
Maybelline Makeup Artist, Charlotte Tilbury created what she called a very classic feline eye complimented by fresh skin and a nude lip. "Any woman will look fabulous in this look no matter what age or race," she commented. The eyeliner was everything! Tilbury used Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel EyeLiner to thickly line the models upper lids. Then, she smudged it out a little and took a brush to line the crease of the eyes for extra intensity. Two sets of false lashes were applied and then tons of mascara.
I love it when I go backstage and see looks I would actually be excited to recreate that night. The hair was something I would also replicate any night out. Kerastase Lead Stylist, Odile Gilbert center parted the models hair and blew out it out using Kerastase Mousse Volumactiv to create texture. Her rock and roll twist was to add what she called "a little girl braid" on the side of the girls "sexy" hair that was about an inch thick. Simple, but I loved it.
Besides being completely obsessed with Nicole Richie's style, my jaw practically dropped when I saw this pic of her from last nights Charlotte Ronson beauty launch event. I've always been a huge fan of her hair styles and as a matter of fact, I just showed a pic of her old side bangs (again) to my stylist when I went in for a trim. To find out how to get the look, I spoke with her stylist of the night, Andy Lecompte of Wella Professionals.
1. Dry your hair and flat iron in sections to smooth any fly aways and make it all pin straight.
2. Next, pull the top of your hair up and away in to a mo-hawk and let it fall forward and separate as you secure the rest into a super high pony at the crown of your head.
3. Hit the mo-hawk section of your hair with a blowdryer and allow it to part naturally falling over the ponytail you just created.
4. Wrap each section on either side of the part around the pony tail elastic and secure with bobby pins.
5. Smooth fly aways and finish with a shine spray like Wella Professionals Shimmer Delight Shine Spray.
You know I'm going to comment on Kim Kardashian's wedding and while I have a ton of opinions (gaudy version a royal wedding anyone?) the biggest surprise to me was that she pulled her hair back in a bun! I expected to be distracted by her gorgeously layered extensions, but instead she allowed for her facial features and a diamond head piece to take center stage. I spoke with NYC stylist, Fabian Lliguin, on how to create the chic chignon.
First, add a styling cream like Bumble and Bumble Styling Creme onto damp hair for control and blow dry it in the direction you want your hair to end up, straight back. Comb your hair straight back and secure it into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Use a comb to tease underneath the pony tail in sections and spritz a working hairspray as you build volume with the tease. This is key to creating the look. Smooth hair down over the height and work it around the elastic into a bun. Tuck it under the nape of the neck and secure with bobby pins.
Last week, Emma Stone made an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman to promote her latest film, The Help. While, Emma confessed on-air to being a natural blonde, I was more curious about finding out the secret behind her texturized waves.
Being that I have pin straight, fine hair (since it's dark and straight people often think I'm Asian from behind – it's that straight), I'm always looking for ways to wear it so it looks fuller and sexier. Emma's waves may be the answer. To get the how-to, I spoke with her stylist, Tommy Buckett of Oribe Hair Care, who created the 'do for her David Letterman appearance. You're welcome!
1. After blow drying, take 2" sections of your hair and wrap around a curling iron to create soft waves. I like using Remington's TStudio Pearl Ceramic Professional Styling Wand, because it doesn't have a clamp.
2. Once your whole head is curled, take a dollop of styling cream like Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream in your hands and use it to separate your curls towards the ends. This is step is key.
3. Finish with a texturizing spray like L'Oreal Texture Infinium 4 Hairspray for added lift and body.
Backstage at the Carlos Miele fall 2011 show I caught Rodney Cutler of Cutler for a quick video on how to perfect a chunky, sleek braid. I was so excited to see the models rocking a look that girls like us are able to do everyday. If I normally pull back my hair and braid it, I'd look like I was going to the gym! From now on, I'll be following Mr. Cutler's advice on how to make the style look clean and chic. Check it out:
The Fall 2011 Elise Overland collection was presented on an ice rink at the Standard Hotel. To create this Icelandic “winter playground,” the models had an ethereal look. David Cruz for Tresemmé was the lead on hair, and he pulled all the models’ hair back into a ponytail from the roots, then made a fishtail braid and used the braid to form a kind of deconstructed bun. Since the designer’s collection was pretty big on texture, he didn’t want the models to look like animals and give them a lot of hair! The fishtail braid bun is simple and tightly frames the face, but still adds that extra pizzazz for the runway.
Napoleon Perdis did the makeup, and the look was all about luminous skin. He avoided using creams and gels, and used minimal foundation so that more light would reflect off the models. To prep the skin, he applied Napoleon Complex Skin Renewal Serum and Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer.
He used cool undertones to make sure that the models had a glow on the ice rink. The eyes were very non fussy, with just a few coats of chocolate brown mascara and some Créme De La Cremé Eyeshadow in QuickSilver. On the cheeks, he used a little bit of Cheek to Chic Blush Duo #6 and Light Patrol Luminizer Palette in Silver. And on the lips, just a light pink shade called “Electra.” The end result was clean and fresh, perfect for a night out on the ice!
