How to Rock Dirty Hair

Did you know that people with thick hair should only be washing their hair 2-3 times a week? Even if you have fine hair, a wash every other day is the right amount. While this may be what’s healthy for your hair, it can sometimes result in undone, messy looking styles. I spoke with Stylist, Jan Marie Arteca who works at the Jeff Chastain Parlor in NYC, about the best ways to wear your hair, well, dirty.

Mistakes: 

One of the biggest mistakes women make when sporting dirty hair? “Wearing a center part,” says Arteca. This kind of part attracts can reveal an oily scalp. Another major mistake that I myself am also guilty of, is not brushing your hair.  I know I think it sometimes makes my hair look messy chic. When in reality, it just looks messy.

Products: 

The obvious product choice for dirty hair is dry shampoo. It can save your hair for a day or two longer. Arteca recommends Serge Normant Dry Shampoo. Texturizing spray also works like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray.

Style:

“The thicker the hair, the more options you have to style it,” explains Arteca. This ranges from anything from curls to braids. For finer hair, she recommends deep side part ponytails, buns, or any sort of braid. I personally like to pull my hair into a side braid when my hair goes a day or two unwashed. Braids keep my texture from looking greasy and with it to the side I avoid a too-sleek part. Hair accessories are also a major help. A headband can cover up almost the dirtiest of looks.

Also keep in mind that dirtier hair is easier to style than slick clean hair. If you’ve been dying to sport some beach waves, curl it when it’s a day or two dirty and shake out for a waved look that’ll stay in.

Accessorize at the beach

  With beach season in full swing, beach hair is a major topic— whether it be products to use or beach friendly up-do’s.  I've been obsessed with head scarves and have some suggestions for dressing up your seaside look with some affordable beach inspired hair accessories to compliment any style.  Check them out.

Head Wraps: Head wraps like this Knotted Southwestern Headwrap ($3.80, Forever 21) are huge this beach season. They give off a laid-back bohemian feel even if you aren’t so laid back or bohemian. They work great on the beach because they look great any which way your salty-hair falls.

Chain Wraps: If your looking for a less laid back and more formal look for the beach, chain wraps are a great addition. We’ve seen the body chain trend come and go, so now its time to take it on in a similar more subtle manner. You will feel like a beach goddess with something like this delicate one ($12.00, Urban Outfitters).

Hair Clip: This is simple yet fantastic for long beach days. I never step on to the sand without one. It looks great in dry or wet hair. You can wear it with every strand of your hair clipped back into it or let your long locks flow out the top. There are cuter designs like this France Luxe Small Couture Jaw clip ($26.00, Nordstrom) but a simple black one will do the job all the same.

Bun Wraps: These serve as a sort of ponytail holder for topknots. Only they’re 10 times cuter. These wraps hold you hair a bit looser then a ponytail holder, which makes for a great messy beach look and won’t cause split ends. Free People has a wide variety available in many different colors ($18.00, Free People).

5 Favorites

  I've always used the same products before starting to work in this industry with Jeannine, which was typically just whatever my mom brought home. Now, I have a whole new perspective on beauty products thanks to all the opportunities to test so many different ones. Here are some of my favorites from simple foundations to gorgeous lipsticks.  Yes, I'm sure you'll find a few newbies to put on your shopping list.

I received Blow Pro Blow Out Spray hairspray at an event for Jeannine last summer and now it’s the only hairspray I’ll use. I never really liked to use hairspray except for prom or homecoming. It made my soft hair sticky and crunchy. I feel like this hairspray does the complete opposite. It holds without creating that awful crunchy effect a lot of hairspray has. If your looking for a spray that gives you a solid hold while maintaining volume and movement, this is stuff to use.

BareMinerals is pretty well known for their loose mineral powder but I love their compact powder. It goes on smooth without coating my face in a thick layer of makeup. It also covers up blemishes while keeping my face looking almost makeup-free. If people think that’s just how naturally smooth my skin is, I’m not going to be the one to correct them.

I like to use Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation for days at the beach or pool. It’s a compact cream foundation with SPF 36 in it. It blends smoothly and gives a great matte finish without looking like a heavy coat of makeup.  I have a hard time using sunscreen on my face because of my sensitive skin and this is a great alternative. The fact that it gives my face a high SPF coverage while hiding blemishes makes it a great summer product.

 

Hourglass Liquid Lipstick is another find I can credit to my internship and an event. This collection of liquid lipsticks are seriously one the best of the colored lip products I own. The colors are so youthfully beautiful I would be crazy not to love them. I typically like to add a light gloss finish over them for a little extra pop. While theses lipsticks do fade during wear, they tend to do it without smudging all over your face, which is good enough for me!

 

I squeezed ever last drop out of my Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Milk Body Butter. Every time I wore it people would stop me to compliment my scent. I kid you not. Not even just once, it happened multiple times. People would walk in the subway car and ask who smelled so good. Even on the streets on NYC waiting to cross a woman asked what it was I was wearing. Not only is the smell invigorating but I loved the way it made my skin look and feel. It made my legs shimmer and glow without looking greasy. If you asked me a year ago to talk about my favorite lotion, I would be confused what there was to even say, until I used this one.

Back to School Must Haves from My Intern, Who's Really Going Back to School

My roommate Julia and I know from personal experience that when in a college mind-set we do not spend our money the smartest ways possible. We're only 19 we'd rather spend on dinner before we're sure that we've used every last drop of toothpaste.  From our experience, stocking up on the essentials before going back to school can help, this way you're not pushing your personal hygiene to the bottom of your priorities list towards the end of the semester when money runs low.  Here are some back to school rules and must haves that are worth stocking up on, no BS. Wipe away the evidence with facial wipes.

You have ten minutes until class all the way on the other side of campus.  If you just jump out of bed and go, everyone will see your smudged mascara and eyeliner and wonder why you wore so much makeup to stay in and finish The Sound and the Fury.  Good news is, it only takes about thirty seconds to wipe makeup off your face before bed.  Besides not looking like a stay out, you're skin will thank you.  Our must haves? Neutrogena's Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes in Pink Grapefruit, $5.97 at Walmart.

Avoid monthly salon visits with at-home solutions.

Along with toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner is another item that I am sure to squeeze every last drop out of.  Around two bottles can last you the entire semester. Not only do I stock up on these at the beginning of the semester to save money, but having the right products also saves me money at the salon.  I like John Frieda's Go Blonder Shampoo and Conditioner, $6.49 each.  They keep my color vibrant throughout the semester.  Don't worry, they're not biased towards just blonds either.  They have Brilliant Brunette shampoo and conditioner that brings out natural highlights and creates shine with a high-gloss finish.  It never hurts to have a fresh salon look through the semester without stepping foot in one.

Preserve your blow out, thanks dry shampoo!

Dry shampoo is new to me this year when I became more in-the-know of beauty products, but now that I've experienced it, it's going to be a must have for me this upcoming semester. My thin hair can look greasy throughout a long day, and this product can prevent that worn down look.  It also adds lift and texture for restyling, which is a great way to keep a fresh look through classes, coffees, campus errands and even into the next day.  The best part, Suave's Dry Shampoo is only $2.60 at Target.

Keep facial hair in control by investing in good tweezers.

Ok, so you don't need more then one of these but tweezers keep you from avoiding the monthly eyebrow waxes or threading sessions.  All you need to do is keep up with your eyebrows and tweeze them when you start to see hairs that don't belong through the semester. Then, when your home, you can go and get them cleaned up and reshaped. Although they are on the pricier end, Mac's Slanted Tweezers, $33 are my favorite and the easiest to use.

Avoid bad breath, because you never know... with minty gloss.

We all know that guy in class with the bad breath all too well. We also know that kid who is smacking their gum through your entire final exam.  There's a simpler, classier way to keep fresh breath.  Try a mint lip blam or gloss.  C.O. Bigelow has lip glosses that freshens breath. They have flavors that range from Vanilla Mint to Mango Mimosa and you can get them on their website for $7.50. I suggest buying a few of these, because they will go fast and when you run out you won't think it's that important to get new ones, but it is.

Thinking About Layers? Things to Consider Before You Chop: Thanks to My Intern, Who's New 'Do Welcomes Her Into 'The Industry'

At only 19, I was still sporting a fun, long straight blonde hair look . Since I am young, I was able to pull it off, but now that I am beginning to work in the beauty and fashion industry, I felt it was time for a more mature look.  Enter long layers, a real style.  I received an invite for a complimentary haircut from the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, and knew this was my chance to make a big change with a stylist I could trust.   I sat with my stylist, Billy Deewillians and explained how I saw long layers in my future.  Here are his tips for women, like me, who are seeking out a new style with layers. Tip 1: Know Your Face Shape

"Haircuts are always all about complimenting the shape of your face," Deewillians commented.  "Before you even decide what your hair style will be, you want to make sure it suits you." Layers compliment women with round facial features instead of enhancing features on the women with angular shaped faces. Angular faces tend to go for the softer haircut instead of intense layers.  This is not to say if you have high cheek bones and a sharp chin you can't have layers.  Just instead of such angles and layers around the face like mine, go for a cut that has the front fall around the face.

Tip 2:  Less is More

It is also important that you steer clear from stringy layers and don't lose the ends, which is the effect you'll get if you add too many layers. For my haircut, Deewillians kept the length in the back and cut it shorter in the front for the style. He explained that with my hair shorter in the front, it creates more opportunities to play with different looks.

Tip 3: Style with Hot Rollers

My main concern was having to wake up earlier in the mornings to style it. I knew I wouldn't be able to go from rolling out of bed and just brushing my hair to having to spend an hour styling it. Deewillians swears by hot rollers. "It's a way for you to style your hair without a lot of heat and time," he remarks.  You can shower the night before, put a little bit of mousse in (he recommends Kerastase Resistance Volumactive Mousse), and let it air dry, or even sleep on it wet if you need. Then, when you wake up, pop in some jumbo rollers and go on with your morning. They don't have to add a lot of curls, but it will give your hair a lift at the roots.

Not only are curlers convenient and time-saving, but according to Deewillians, it works best for my hair type. "It's the go-to for fine hair," he explains. Hot rollers create the saloon looking effect more so then a curling iron.

"At the end of you day you want volume in every part of your hair, not just the top" explains Deewillians. "Therefore, you want to create thickness throughout." Well, mission accomplished because I have never felt like I had so much hair to play with.

While I may have started my summer as an ambitious 19-year-old with pretty long straight hair, I will be leaving as an accomplished 19-year-old with a sexy new hair style to prove it.

Intern Review: Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Face Wash, Something She'd Splurge On with A College Budget

I was always weary of changing my daily face wash routine. As a teenager, I unfortunately suffered from acne. It is an embarrassing stage of my gawky years I would not like to repeat. Therefore, when my dermatologists put me on a regimen that finally worked junior year of high school, I never drifted away from it.  Now that I'll be a junior in college, I'm experimenting again and when I saw the big Philosophy face wash in a goody bag I received a few weeks ago from a Nordstrom anniversary sale beauty event, I couldn't wait to try it and let me tell you, I'm glad I did! I started to second guess testing it when I saw it was their Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, afraid I would break out again like I did in my gawky stage, but figured I'd give it a go (after all it was part of my job as an intern!).  I do not regret a thing.

I admit it, I am an impatient person so it is hard for me to fall in love with a face wash when it is not working ASAP, but with this, I immediately felt a difference. After using it in the shower, I could feel how much softer my face was just after patting it dry with a towel. This is because the wash is developed not only to cleanse the skin, but also to gently remove dead skin cells.

Not only did I see results in the feel of my face, but it also cleared up a minor breakout almost over night. (Waking up with a zit on my chin is not the best.) When I washed my face that morning then again that night, the zit was less red and no longer risen the next morning.  Although it provides quick results, that is not to say that it isn't gentle.

I have skin that gets red and irritated very easily (I know, don't you just wish you had my skin). The wash is sulfate-free and formulated with ingredients designed to replenish and protect the skin using topical antioxidants which helps condition the skin and retain its moisture level. Therefore, it is gentle enough to use daily without irritating the skin causing it to appear red and patchy.

You can buy my new favorite face wash at Nordstrom (their anniversary sale is going on now!).  By the way, I am a poor college student, and even I am willing to pay the $58 for a new bottle when mine runs out.

My Intern Scores an Exclusive Interview with Charlotte Ronson, Her First Hand Experience

Young and inexperienced, I was a nervous wreck getting ready to meet Charlotte Ronson at the Nivea "Kiss of Style Cap Contest" VIP Preview. Even though it was not the first event I attended on behalf of Jeannine, I was still unsure of how I would handle the extra responsibilities of interviewing a fashion designer for BeautySweetSpot readers. Luckily, Ronson made it easy and we discussed her fave beauty products, a fun additive to her upcoming fashion show and guiltiest pleasure.

The intimate setting itself made the whole process less intimidating. After just a brief introduction from Charlotte Ronson about the Kiss of Style Cap Contest that debuts on August 1st, the few attendees were left to create their own cap design and spin the wheel to win one of Ronson's rompers from her Fall 2012 collection.  After creating my yellow and purple cap, I won the romper!   It was then time to put my nerves aside and do what I was there to do. I came to find that all the nerves were for nothing when Ronson was more then happy to answer a few questions from the obvious newbie.  So here you go BeautySweetSpot readers!

What does your role and partnership with Nivea include?

I had the chance to design my own cap for their kiss moisturizer which is fun, and I get to judge the competition for someone's own personal design to actually be seen in stores.

What are some beauty products you can't live without? 

I always have my Perfect Kiss Lip Glosses that I make with Sephora. I like the color Annabelle, which has a red tint to it, and Eleanore which is more of the natural pink gloss that I always have in my bag. As well as Nivea underneath the gloss to keep my lips moist and protected from the sun, air-conditioning and anything else. It is good to keep them healthy.

What can we expect to see from you at NYFW?

Well, September 7th is my runway show. Hopefully, you'll see a great collection. There will be bags in the collection this time. I am also working on collections with Sephora and JCPenny.

Out of everything that you do with your career and success, what is your favorite thing that you do?

Just the the design process in general, when I am able to get to it.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Melted cheese. Any kind of cheese. Just when cheese is melted on top of anything, I am a fan. Fries, mozzarella sticks. Anything!