2010 Fall trends, Part one: Hair options

Ah fall, the transition of seasons. What better time of year to shift gears by updating or changing your look. Top designers have creatively expressed the fall 2010 trends through the subtle minimal use of monochromatic colors, bold metallic's and layering with contrasting fabric textures.

So how do you complement these trends with your hair and makeup? In this weeks installment of Everyday Couture, I will address a couple fashionable hair options.

OPTION A:  The pony tail.

For a flirtatious fall transition many women are opting for sleek simple yet fashionable pony tails. If you yourself decided to go with this look make sure to follow a few simple steps:

1)  Use a  light sculpting lotion and sparingly distribute through hair to minimize fly away hairs for a more polished look.

2)  Decide where you want  your pony tail to set. Pony tails setting closer to the top of the head seem to hearken more playful spirit; while tails tightly swept to the back of the head hold more of a power woman chic feel. Most fashion conscious runway pony tails seem to live just above the occipital bone on the back of the head.

3) Use the palm of your hand to grab the hair easily and place it up. Now begin to brush your hair  in small sweeping circular motions into the palm of your other hand.

3) If you have any shorter layers that may pop out you can give the tail a slight twist once the hair has been distributed to the palm of your hand and before the holder is secured. thus locking it in place.

4) To ensure that your pony tail is fashionable and classy. Once you have the holder in place and the pony tail is secure, make sure to take a small section of hair from under the tail and hide the holder by wrapping it around the base of the tail and pin with a bobby pin.

5) Any loose hair around the hair line, nape of the neck or base of the pony tail can now be tamed by using a light wax, such as Redken's water wax.

6) Now that your polished perfect pony tail is in place you may want to try other styling options. Chignons, texture through the use of product or sleek and tamed with the use of an iron are all acceptably in style.





 Option B:  Voluptuous

 "Be-achy" is what the loose tendrils of the summer were called.  As we transition to fall the look is very similar, and rather than passing this unkempt look simply is expressed with more of a voluptuous retro perhaps on the verge of grunge feel. Here are a few ways to wear a more full style this fall.

1) Try hot trollers!  Easy timesavers, by wrapping random mid-sized sections of hair around the heated rollers mist with a light hair spray and allow to cool. This leaves you plenty of time to apply your makeup or any other last minute tasks you may have in an early morning rush. To style loosely and randomly break apart the curls for a soft, structured look. Set with a flexible finishing spray.

2)  For a looser look try using a flat iron. Working in sections starting at the nape of the neck while pinning the hair up and away to make the process a bit easier.  Taking approximately 1 1/2 inch sub section lightly spray with a working hairspray (preferably with a heat protectant) Start fairly away from the scalp.  Clamp the iron, but not to tight so as to avoid creasing lines into the curl. Start to turn the iron back on itself while sliding the length of the hair through the iron.  Allow the resulting curl to rest and cool while repeating the same process on the rest of the hair. Again to style loosely and randomly break apart the curls for a soft, structured look. Set with a finishing spray.

3) To give your look a more retro feel, try sweeping the hair to either side and pin in place or both sides and into a low ponytail. Accessorize with any of the vintage type pins, clips and or bands that are available on the market. Some accessories can include feathers or even rich jewel tone crystals to easily change up a look for an evening out.

If you are searching for something for shorter lengths of hair; consider a fresh haircut . Texturized shaggy looks are totally in vogue this season. Also a simple glaze of color can really help breath new life into your look. Consult your salon professional for all the options that may be more suited for your hair type.

In closing, it is my hope that this entry helps to arm you with some simple techniques to keep you fall look current and fashionably forward.

Keratin, the wonder treatment.

Is every day a bad hair day? Spending your hard earned cash on countless products, wasting time and frustration attempting  to create a halfway presentable look at home. Yet, to no avail your left with the same old unmanageable unkempt mess! A keratin treatment could very well be the answer to your beauty prayers.

Amittingly, I like many others have been very skeptical about this seemingly high dollar service ever since the buzz about the original "Brazilian blowout'"  But after extensive hands on training and after preforming this service several times I must say that I have not been as excited about a single new product and or service as I now am with the keratin treatment. With that said I would like to take this space to explain to you the reader the benefits and process involved with the keratin treatment.

The Benefits

A professional keratin treatment will reduce frizz up to 95%  and render the hair soft and silky smooth on any type of hair. Curly, straight, virgin and or chemically challenged hair.  In fact a keratin treatment is a great answer to hair that has been overly damaged by the use of color, lighteners, perm waves and or relaxers.  As the treatment involves infusing the hair shaft with liquid keratin (the same stuff hair is made up of) and repeat services to rebuild damaged hair can be preformed every 4 - 6 months.

Your hair will be transformed. Many guests in my salon have described the results as life changing.

 Finding that the hair it is much healthier, visually appealing with body and shine. less drying time is needed and simply it is much more manageable! 

The process

First of all you will want to set aside 1 1/2 - 2hrs of time for this procedure. Tho it may vary depending on the product, but mostly you begin by washing your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove any residual product buildup such as styling products. As well this shampoo will help to open the cuticle layer of the hair shaft, making it easier for the keratin to penetrate.

Then, your hair is blow-dried, sectioned off and liquid keritain is applied to small subsections covering your head and left to process in a plastic cap. To note, sparing amounts are applied evenly as over-saturation can produce undesirable results. This is why the application by a licensed professional is your best bet for the results you are looking to achieve.

Once the keratin has been applied and has processed, the hair is blow-dried and thoroughly round brushed. To seal it, a flat iron with heat up to 430 degrees is passed over subsections of hair up to seven times into your beautiful new style.

In order for the keratin to fully solidify you must wait 3 days before washing or changing your style. That also means no tucking the hair behind your ears, no pony tails or pins, no sweating, not getting it wet, no coloring, no hair-spray, gel or mousse. Absolutely nothing must happen to your hair during that time.


These results last for up to 3 - 5 months depending on your home haircare maintenance. Thus, the reason why the professional home haircare products that are designed for keratin infused hair are so important.  As sulfates and other ingredients found in drugstore shampoos can greatly sacrifice the longevity of your luscious new locks. You have invested, why not get the most out of your new look!



I hope this article helps to educate anyone questioning this treatment. As well I welcome any questions or feedback.
  

Timeless Beauty Tips

Yes year after year trends come and go just like the seasons in which they exist. But do you want to look like the last couple decades let alone last season? I think not!

Moreover it is indeed classy to follow some trends, But while we can not follow every thing I plan to provide you with some time tested tips that should help to get you through any season’s storm.

Beauty Do 1. Goodbye overly done hair

Yep that’s right messy can equal sexy! But please don’t become too overly involved with messy. As going overboard can contribute to a trashy unkempt look; rather the fresh free image that we are looking for.

It’s easy to create this look. Perhaps by placing a bun loose and lower to the nape. Use a few loose knots to pull your hair up. Wear your hair down or to the side with a few loose curls. To set, use a quality professional hairspray with flexible memory rather than the non moving lacquers of the past.

Beauty Do 2. Makeup, look to the past.

When considering a look with makeup, think about the main areas of the face. The focal points of eyes and lips shouldn’t seem as if they are competing for attention. This would lead to a more overly done look. As soon as we understand that the human eye is built for asymmetry rather than symmetry Our task of creating a look becomes much simpler.

Look to the past, smoky eyes with contrasting nude lips hearkens a more beatnik feel. Perhaps you would like to wear a more pastel shadow on the eyes and play the lips up with rich, bold reds. Can we say 1940’s? These are both couple of fine examples of the many styles that one can create. Key word: Contrast.

Beauty Do 3. Foundation less is more.

That’s right! You heard it, less is more. Lets face it foundation was created for coverage at varying levels. So this means the more you pile on your face, the greater you run the chance of creating a mask like appearance that shows every minuscule flaw on your face.

Research your foundation. Make sure it matches between neck and face, while considering we generally are lighter in the winter and darker during the summer. To maintain a fresh non caked look, only use foundation lightly where you need it. Generally for daily wear you would want to consider the areas around the eyes, the nose, mouth and perhaps the cheeks. In the end with a quality brush remember to blend, blend, and blend some more!


Beauty tip 4. No talons!

Short to medium length nails lend to a classic easy to keep look. Rather than super long overly decorated talons suited for Freddy Kruger. Can we say bacteria heaven?

So with our short to medium nails lets adorn them with French manicures (not on the feet please) or select simple frosted shades that have been in use for decades. For the daring, try dark rich shades. Dark polishes are classy and if worn well with complementing makeup can look very trendy.

Beauty tip 5. Sunscreen

It has been said time and again but yes it is important. Often sunscreen is the forgotten tool in ones beauty ritual. The truth about this is that sunscreen is probably the most important part of your routine; if you use an SPF 15 or products that contain a block in them on a daily basis you won’t have to worry about to many other lotions and potions.

When you’re older and looking at your peers you can thank yourself, as you will appear much younger and fresh.