Hair Styles
A Trip to the Curl Whisperers: My Hair Makeover
I’ll be honest. Getting regular haircuts is not one of my strong suits. When things get busy or budgets get tight, I’m a gal that’s inclined to skip the trip to the salon altogether. And when I do finally get in for a cut, I have trouble finding a stylist that embraces my natural texture the way I do—minus the three or four times a year I straighten my hair for a special night out, I like to rock the medusa style, just a step or two shy of “I stuck my finger in a light socket.” Wild curls are my signature look, and since I arrived in NYC three years ago, I haven’t found anyone that could help me unleash their full (and slightly less frizzy) potential.
Enter the LHJ beauty team. After chatting with them about my hair-related woes (and probably, them taking one look at my visibly split ends), they dialed up the curl whisperers at Devachan, and managed to get me in for a much-needed appointment. Major score.
So, here’s what you need to know about Devachan: this salon is 100% devoted to curls, 100% of the time. As I waited for my turn, I was amazed by the heads of hair marching out, post-appointment. Tight, defined spirals! Soft, beachy waves! Totally frizz-free spirals! Beautifully coiffed Afros! It was, without a doubt, the coolest convention of curls I’d ever seen.
By the time I sat down with my stylist, Rosie, I couldn’t have felt more at ease. Although I was more than willing to undergo a drastic cut, she recommended keeping my locks long, and adding long layers and significantly shorter, face-framing bangs. I was sold.
The first major difference between this cut and any I’ve had before, is that Rosie worked on my hair dry. This allowed her to better assess my curl pattern, and to evaluate the length and shape of the style as she worked. After a wash, and a little education on curl care (I had been washing my hair almost twice as much as is necessary!), Rosie got to work drying and styling. Before my very eyes, my curls leapt up into neat, defined spirals. The top layers that usually get sad and droopy within minutes of blow-drying totally held their own. This cut was pure, unadulterated awesome.
I clung to my salon-styled ‘do for a few days, skeptical that I would be able to pull of the same kind of curl definition at home. But armed with a few tips from Rosie, my first home-styling session didn’t disappoint. The cut has held up beautifully in the following weeks, and my curls couldn’t be happier. With any luck, I’ve permanently traded my frizz halo for a more refined look. But the even better news? I still feel 180% like me. —HILARY MERZBACHER
5 Easy Hairstyles for the Beach
At some point this summer, I’m willing to bet you’ll find yourself at the beach. It’s one of the most peaceful and beautiful places to be on a hot summer day.
I literally live about two miles from the beach so I try to get our family there as much as possible. It’s calming. It’s serene. It’s just a wonderful place to veg out in the summer and enjoy.
But come on ladies… there’s always the dreaded beach-hair-woes. You know what I mean, right? I never go to the beach without my hair up. I need to make sure it’s out of my face and secure. It doesn’t matter if I happen to go into the water with my sons, lay out on the blanket or take a walk collecting shells… my hair needs to stay PUT! I don’t want to worry about it being all over the place.
Here are 5 Easy Hair Styles for the Beach:
1) Simple Bun - This is a super, easy hairstyle to create. Simply slick your hair back into a comfortable bun with an elastic band. It’s easy because it will completely stay put and out of your face all day. If it’s secure enough, you can even go in the water with it and not worry about it coming out.
2) Hair Back with Wrap – I love wearing a wrap around my hair at the beach. I can easily pop my hair up in a pony or a bun or even a loose braid and quickly wrap a scarf or band around the top of my head. It keeps all my hair in place and it’s super comfortable!
3) Braid Away! – It doesn’t matter what kind of braid it is… braid it and keep it our of your face. Love this hairstyle because it’s very easy and it looks chic for the beach, too!
4) Low Ponytail with Hat – Create a low ponytail with your hair and then add your fave beach hat! This is a simple look and hairstyle because (quite literally) there is NO effort to it. You band and go!
5) High Ponytail – I love a high ponytail on the beach! It’s so chic and so trendy. Just slick your hair back and pop it up!
Hair Alert: 5 Ways to Wear Bangs
I haven’t had bangs since I was 14 years old.
Oh, yes… 20 years ago!
I grew them out back in 1993 and just never went back because bangs were always such a hair distraction for me. They were always in my eyes. I never really knew how to “style” them correctly. And I just felt like my face looked better without them.
So why is it that for the first time in 20 years I’m thinking of cutting them again!?
I’ve seen so many celebs rock bangs lately and it’s got me thinking, “Should I do it?” Bangs don’t need to be a solid blunt cut style, they can be styled in many different ways, and I’m beginning (for the first time) to really pick up on the true hair-versatility that you can have with bangs. It’s making my decision to chop them that much easier!
If you’re anything like me and on the fence about whether to make the chop, check out these five styles for inspiration:
1) The Side Sweep: I love how Cameron Diaz sweeps her bangs to the side. Hers are on the longer side, which make it easier to do the swoop. I think it’s a beautiful and effortless way to style you bangs.
2) Straight Down the Middle: Rachel Zoe, Kim Kardashian and Jessica Alba tend to sport this adorable bang style. All you do is part them right down the middle like a “V” on your forehead. I think it’s a cute style, especially if you keep your long hair down. It’s a beautiful way to see your hair fall.
3) Cut Above the Brows: This is a great way to ensure your bangs won’t get in your eyes! I’m not sure I’d love the “grow-out” phase, but this is such an adorable and carefree style. I just love how it looks on Jessica Biel.
4) Wispy Across Your Forehead: I love these “light” bangs because it’s a look I total would gravitate towards. If you’re not into having heavy/thick bangs, I love this bang cut because it’s cute and sophisticated at the same time. And let’s face it, nobody rocks a bang better than Reese Witherspoon!
5) Pinned or Clipped Back: If I cut my bangs again, this is something I would do ALL the time. Take a bobby pin and just pop them back. I love this look because it’s like having the best of both “hair worlds.”
Before & After: My Red Hair Transformation
As a college senior approaching graduation day, I could definitely use a major confidence boost. Between final exams and job applications, I’m completely swamped and totally exhausted. So a few weeks ago, I decided to give myself a much-needed jolt of energy by making the ultimate hair color transformation: dying my hair red.
Although I’d been a blonde and a brunette, red hair was completely new territory for me. Luckily, I had the LHJ beauty editors to guide me through my transition. They sent me to the Marie Robinson Salon to meet with Marie herself, a color genius who instantly matched me with the perfect shade of red. She told me that cool tones work best with fair skin like mine, so my warm golden brown color wasn’t doing me any favors. We decided on a cool light auburn shade that would brighten my skin tone and add some spice to my look. Knowing I was in the hands of an expert colorist, I sat back and let Marie work her magic.
While Marie applied my new color, I asked her for some advice on how to maintain my new look. Since red hair is notorious for fading fast, she suggested coloring my hair at home between salon visits to keep the red vibrant. Marie recommended Clairol Nice ‘n Easy in Light Auburn as a practically foolproof way to get great results (even for a hair color newbie like me!), along with Clairol Root Touch-Up by Nice ‘n Easy every few weeks to keep my roots in check between dyes.
When Marie finally unveiled my new color, I knew she was right—it’s the perfect shade for me. It’s amazing how such a small change has made me feel ready to tackle my job interviews. Overflowing with confidence, I’m ready ace my final exams, sport my graduation cap on top of my new ‘do, and start my career in style. Best of all, I can’t look in the mirror without smiling! —KATIE HOPPENJANS
Why Get Smashed When You Can Get Smashing?
As Annelle once said in Steel Magnolias, “Miss Truvy, I promise that my personal tragedy will not interfere with my ability to do good hair.”
Beauty bars are cropping up all over of late. The spa/salon day of yore is OVER: Clearly, it’s totally 2013 to abbreviate your beauty services. Not to mention, why get smashed when you can get smashing instead? The days of languishing Steel Magnolias style while enjoying a beauty service is long gone. So embraced modernity and I hit up three of Manhattans finest beauty-on-the-go establishments for a little grooming bender and discovered a few vital products to add to my repertoire.
The first stop on my beauty crawl was at Boom Boom Brow Bar, where my brows quietly experienced a coup. Owner Malynda could not be more lovely; her dog even accompanied me as I “browsing.” Danielle tinted my brows a similar shade but a bit warmer, so they look more robust. Then, she did a little wax clean-up without leaving me looking like ’90s Drew Barrymore, which was greatly appreciated. I took home the Boom Boom Brow Bar Brow Job brow growth serum, which has beefed up my brows considerably in only a couple weeks since my appointment. $49 at boomboombrowbar.com.
Next, I headed to Clear Clinic, Dr. Eric Schweiger’s new walk-in acne treatment center, the latest quick fix for skin. Here, you can zap a zit with a cortisone shot on the go, get a chemical peel or microdermabrasian and be in and out in 30 minutes. I opted for the latter and Jillian Cirillo exfoliated my skin in one of the clinic’s private rooms. My skin glowed for the next couple days and my blackheads were dramatically reduced. The microdermabrasian service costs $150. Take home Dr. Schweiger’s Me line of products, specifically his glycolic-laced Peel Me Pads, which leave skin brighter and more even-textured.
Once my brows and skin were in order, I enjoyed a glass of bubbly and a blowout at Drybar on 16th Street, where I am truly the Norm to its Cheers. Stylist Matt hooked me up with a voluminous, bouncy blowout that lasted a full three days and was so shiny, I could practically fog it up if I were to breathe on it. There, he used the new Drybar Money Maker Hairspray, which imparts flexible hold and anchored my ‘do even during an especially sweaty Flywheel session the next morning. $25 at shop.thedrybar.com.
What are your thoughts on beauty bars? Yay or nay?
How To: Romantic Knotted Chignon by Kérastase
We saw a lot of stunning hairstyles during this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC and among the most wearable (and chic) was the romantic knotted chignon created by Kerastase for Katie Ermilio’s presentation.
Lead stylist, Nina Dimachki, created a whimsical-yet-modern knotted chignon that we expect to see everywhere from the red carpet to the street this fall. The feminine style was created based on the designer’s love of Impressionist art and minimal styling with a romantic twist. To keep the look from being too severe and to give the style a modern twist, Dimachki infused plenty of volume at the crown of the head and worked in Kerastase’s Lotion Densitive GL to create a “down-comforter texture.”
Here’s how to achieve the style:
1. Create a center part in dry hair and gently tease around the crown of your head for volume and lift. Then, pull your hair back into a ponytail at the nape of the neck and secure with an elastic.
2. Spray Kerastase’s Lotion Densitive GL onto the roots and rake your fingers through the hair to keep it from looking too severe, or coiffed.
3. Tie your ponytail into one or two knots, securing with hair pins as you go. Leave any flyaways loose to create a more romantic look.
4. Finish with Kerastase Double Force Hair Spray .
5 Easy Up-dos for your Hair
As a mom of 4, I’m ALL about the up-dos.
I’m not kidding, if there’s way to keep my hair out of my face and still look chic, I’m there and I’m doing it.
When I was a little girl, my mother used to put my hair in buns and high ponytails, I used to feel like a princess when she would do it. And course, she’d always add a gorgeous bow or clip, too. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that not much had changed. I still do love having my hair up, but now… well, it’s just become an easier way to do my hair. I don’t have the time to sit in front of my bathroom mirror and fuss over my hair – I need quick, fast and super easy when it comes to my hair.
Since I truly have been wearing my hair up all the time lately, I wanted to share with you 5 EASY Up-dos for your hair. With the spring and summer months soon ahead, so many women love to wear their hair up because it’s just easier and more practical with the heat. Have some fun with these easy hair up-dos while you’re sporting some super chic fashion trends, too!
5 Easy Up-dos for your Hair
1) Ballerina Bun – Super easy and super chic! Just your hair in in a high ponytail and then wrap the tail part in the elastic.
Source: Uploaded by user via Becky on Pinterest
2) High Ponytail – Just grab your hair and band it as high as you can go. Love this look!
Source: Uploaded by user via Devine on Pinterest
3) Messy Bun – One of my FAVES! Take your hair and just toss it into a quick bun, the messier, the better. Add clips or bobby pins if need be.
4) Side Ponytail – Gather your hair and band it to the side. I suggest a ponytail, but if you want to add a braid to the ponytail, even cuter!
Source: ponytailhairstyles.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest
5) Braided Bun – This sounds complicated, but it’s not! Low ponytail your hair, braid the pony and then twist the braid into your elastic band. It is so cute, so quick to do and people will LOVE it!
Source: Uploaded by user via Lindsey on Pinterest
Before & After: I Got a Hair Makeover!
When I moved to New York City two months ago to start working at LHJ, I knew I wanted a fresh look. I had graduated from the University of Missouri (go Tigers!) a few months prior, and my long locks just felt so, well, college. It was time to trade my Katie Holmes á la Dawson’s Creek cut for a more Carrie Bradshaw-approved style.
I told our lovely beauty editors my dilemma, thinking they would suggest a salon and some products and send me on my way. Instead they set me up with Chris Lospalluto, hair stylist for Alberto VO5 and Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger.
Armed with some celeb inspiration photos, I went to see Chris. He played with my hair a bit and agreed short was the way to go. I told him the cut had to work curly or straight because my hair tends to poof up when it’s humid. He assured me I would look fabulous, so I placed my tresses in his incredibly well-equipped hands.
After an hour and a half of snipping, trimming, blow-drying, and then more trimming, Chris finished my haircut — a sleek and uber-chic bob. Seriously, the man is a shear genius.
I lost eight inches of hair, but I’ve never felt better. My new look is sophisticated and stylish — and totally New York. I’m even walking a bit taller (and that’s saying a lot considering I’m already 5’9”). My days as an adolescent undergrad are definitely over. I’ve got magazine editor hair now! Look out, Anna Wintour, I’m coming for you!
Get the Look: January Jones’ SAG Awards Pompadour
Up for experimenting with the rocker chic look? Take this bold style for spin:.
The Look: Rock n Roll, Pompadour Up-do
January and Renato chose to do a modern take on a up-do that was very rock ‘n roll. January’s pompadour hairstyle paired with her Prabal Gurung dress added a fun and cool vibe to the SAG Awards. January’s striking look was the biggest fashion statement on the red carpet!
Here’s how Renato created January’s look:
1. Starting with damp hair, apply Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Mega Firm Hold Gel to all the hair and brush through so it’s evenly distributed.
2. Using a comb, blow-dry gelled hair to create a sleek, wet look.
3. Once hair is mostly dry, use a round brush and blow dry hair up and back to create volume.
4. In the back, tease hair with a rat tail comb to create all over volume, especially at the ends.
5. To hold the style in place, apply Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Extra Firm Hold Hairspray to sculpt and lift the hair for a look that will last all night.
How to Get Your Most Flattering Side Part
Via Style.com
Odd as it may sound, there’s actually a “science” to finding your ideal side part. It all depends on your facial features. Eufora Global Educator and Stylist, Jeffrey Mayo, gave us his insider tips on how to get your most flattering side part in 4 easy steps. And all it involves is a mirror, a piece of paper, a comb and a couple of styling products.
From sleek and long, to short and wavy, the side part is the perfect way show off anyone’s good side. Mayo explains that he “loves the side part because it’s a nod to the androgynous, so less volume is better.” Start with the Eufora Beautifying Elixirs Moisture Intense Shampoo and Conditioner since it contains a tri sugar complex that delivers moisture deep into the hair shaft, making hair soft, smooth and healthy so it’s resilient to breakage. Then, spritz Beautifying Elixirs Leave-In Repair Treatment to towel dried hair. It contains all-natural oils such as Kukui Nut, Neem, Argan and Cranberry to help with shine and frizz control.
After drying hair, Mayo suggests these 4 steps to find your ideal side part:
1) Everyone has a strong side and a weak side of their face. To find it, look in the mirror and hold up a piece of printer paper to one side of the face.
2) Now, move the paper to the opposite side and notice the features on that side as well. Move the paper back and forth between the two sides of the face until the slight differences between the symmetry of the features are noticeable.
3) The side that has more features turned in the upward direction is the stronger side of the face. This is the side that should be kept exposed when deciding on a hairstyle, meaning the heavier side of the part should always go against the weaker side of the face.
4) Once the side is chosen, to make a perfect side part, try combing from the outside corner of the eye in the front, to the middle center in the back to ensure symmetry in the hairstyle.
To finish the look, use the Beautifying Elixirs Control Crème to hold down flyaways without any stiff or sticky product feel.
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