Catching Up Hair

Hello again! Another weekend has come and gone. It's difficult for me to post on the weekends because it's the busiest time at the salon- and my little social life that I try to have. So when Friday night comes, I blink and the weekend is over. So here it goes ...

On Friday night, I went out with the man-friend for a friends birthday straight from work. I forgot to snap a picture before I left but managed to get a picture (that showed my hair) while we were out.

Day Dix-Neuf
Loose Braided Updo

I recreated the exact style the next day so you guys could get a closer look.

Day Dix-Neuf
Loose Braided Updo
Products Used: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray
It's a 10 Miracle Shine Spray with Noni Oil
Tools Used: Flat Iron or Curling Iron or Curling Wand + Bobby Pins
How-To: Curl hair (See Day Quatre) with either flat iron, curling iron, or curling wand.
(I use a flat iron to give a messier curl.)
Braid hair on one side. (See Day Onze)
Instead of braiding bangs into the braid, leave bangs down.
After securing braid with a bobby pin, take one inch sections of hair
and begin to pin up in the back.
It's super easy because it's supposed to be soft, romantic and imperfect.
Continue to braid until all pieces of hair are pinned.
Spray with Shine Spray & Luminous Hairspray to finish.

Day Vingt
Braided Faux Shave with Le Fleur
This was a twist off my Day Treize: Faux Shave.
Again, I'm contemplating on whether or not I should shave the side again.
So I decided to play around with the faux shave, except this time with a braid.
Products Used: Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair
Alterna Caviar Polishing Serum
Tools Used: Round Brush + Dryer + Bobby Pins + Une Fleur
How-To: Blow out hair straight. (See Day 1)
French braid on one side of the hair until top of ear.
Secure in place with bobby pins.
Don't worry about concealing bobby pins because the flower will cover them.
It's more important to secure the braid in place.
Pin flower accessory in.
Finish with polishing serum for a smooth & shiny finished look.

E

Day Vingt Et Un
Piggy Tails
Yes, I did it ... pig tails.
Let's see, I haven't worn my hair in pigtails since I was in MIDDLE SCHOOL!
But hey desperate times, calls for desperate measures.
I don't think they looked all that bad, eh?
Products Used: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray
It's a 10 Miracle Shine Spray with Noni Oil
Tools Used: Flat Iron to curl +2  Black Elastic Bands + 2 Bobby Pins
How-To: Using a flat iron, curl hair. (See Day Quatre)
Divide hair into 2 pigtails and secure with black elastic band.
Typically I use clear elastic bands, but since I wanted the bands
to blend in with my hair, I used the black ones.
Be sure to leave pieces out of the pigtails.
These are more adult pigtails, so they don't have to be perfect.
Then using one bobby pin on each side,  pin pigtail close to hairline.
(Be sure to conceal bobby pin.)
This holds the pigtails in place. So they won't stick straight out by the end of the day.
Finish with Shine Spray and Luminous Hairspray.

Day Vingt-Deux
Sassy Bun
When I did the Charlize Theron Chignon on Day Huit,
I loved have my bangs brushed back.
So today, I brushed back my bangs with this messy bun.
It gave it a more elegant look with the bangs brushed back.
Products Used: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray
Tools Used: Black Hair Tie + Teasing Brush + Bobby Pins
How-To: Leave bangs down, using Teasing Brush + Luminous Hairspray
brush back hair into a sleek ponytail.
Tie with hair tie.
Divide pony tail into 4 parts.
Using bobby pins, pin parts of pony tail into bun.
It's okay for hair to stick out of bun.
I like the no-so-polished look.
Tease bangs and brush back with teasing brush.
Lightly finish with Luminous Hairspray.

Less than a week until my challenge is over. My mind is blank as to what style I will do tomorrow. Be sure to stay tuned. Mohawk?

Ombre Thursday

Grab a glass of wine ladies, we're having girls night. Tonight's discussion: Ombre.
Before we get into a full blown debate of "oh-no she didn'ts", here's today hairstyle. I had today off, and since I decided it would be a splendid idea to sleep the day away ... I ended up running around doing errands to prepare myself for the work week. (My work week starts on Fridays and ends on Tuesdays.) 

Day Dix-Huit
Slick Back Pony
Products Used: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray
It's a 10 Miracle Shine Spray with Noni Oil
Tools Used: Teasing Brush + 2 Clear Elastic Bands + Bobby Pins
How-To: Using teasing brush, brush hair back into sleek pony tail.
I like using the teasing brush because it really lays down the fly-aways.
Use clear elastic to tie pony tail.
I always use 2 elastics just to make sure the band doesn't
break throughout the day.
Taking a piece of hair from pony tail, wrap around clear elastic to hide.
Secure with bobby pins.
Use Luminous Hairspray to keep fly-aways down.
Finish with Shine Spray.
(Go easy on the shine spray. You don't want a greased down look.)

Alright, pajamas on with a glass of wine in hand ... I'm ready for girls night.
So topic of the night: ombre hair.
Yay or nay? Is its 15 minutes of fame up? Will everyone forget what it is by this time next year? Or will everyone and their mothers be rocking the boho color? At the salon, we're pretty split. Some of the stylists don't like it at all, while others love it. Me? I'm split ... I believe ombre can look very good if done right, but if done wrong ... it can be SO wrong.
When I first thought about ombre phenomenon... I was appalled! The only thing I could think about was Sarah Jessica Parker in Season 2 and 3 of Sex and the City with her awful roots.

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If anyone knows me, you know that I absolutely adore SJP. I have the biggest girl-crush on her and would love to get my hands in her hair. I love love love her, but her roots in Season 2 & 3 ... not so much. I remember watching the show when I was a kid, (yes--I watched Sex & The City in middle school) and thinking ... who the hell told her that was cute?!
I can say, SPJ's hair has definitely improved throughout the years ... and it's her ombre that is on the top of my Ombre Yes List.

My Ombre Yes List

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She's absolutely flawless!
Her ombre is very natural. Very sun-kissed.
I love that her ends are not drastically lighter than her roots.
SJP has always looked amazing with golden tones.

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Another take on SJP's ombre. Her roots are a little darker
than in the picture above. Although her ends are very much
lighter than her roots, she has highlights framing her face
to off-set the dark roots and light ends.
Face framing high-lights is a must if you're planning to go darker on your roots.

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Well done Jamie!
I was skeptical about ombre in the first place... now ombre on an Asian girl?
I was so against it ... until I saw it on Jamie Chung.
Lightening Asian hair is tricky. About 90 percent of the time,
it will turn a not so pretty blonde-orange.
And blorange is NOT cute.
I love that she stuck with golden and caramel tones.
And the golden brown high-lights that frame her face are gorgeous.

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I saw Khloe Kardashian on What What Happen's Live the other night,
and practically drooled over the TV.
I was never a big fan of Khloe's ombre on Khloe & Lamar,
but I am all for this!
I like that she kept it in the brown family.
Ombre is tricky on girls with dark hair, because it can look
super trashy- super quick.
But keeping your ends a bit darker keeps things much more natural.

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Who doesn't love Lauren Conrad?
The girls at the salon know my obsession with anything LC.
I've always loved her ombre. (Or should I say.. HER)
She's naturally a blonde, so the color graduation is smooth
and soft from her roots to ends.
Again, the highlights around her face brightens her color.

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If there's Lauren, there has to be Whitney.
I love that she has blonde honey tones through-out her ombre.

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Yes, Giuliana Rancic.
Again, like the others she has face framing highlights to
soften the contrast between the dark and light.
And if you look closely, the underneath of her hair is still dark.
I think that gives it a more dimensional look.
Ombre is all about dimension.

They all can't be perfect. Ombre can go very wrong. I mean VERY WRONG.

My Ombre No List

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Seriously Drew?
Now I know Drew Barrymoore has always had the "roots" look ...
But this ... this is a prime example of ombre gone wrong.
The blonde has been taken too far and there's no gradual transition between
the dark brown roots and the fried blonde ends.
And the braid?  Oh no.

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Hey Rihanna, your roots called.
They want their hair color back.

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Now I believe us sassy short hair gals can rock ombre,
just not like this.
There is so much blonde that it looks like she hasn't gotten her
roots touched up in 6 months.
This would have looked better if there was less blonde,
and if the blonde was worked underneath.


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Okay Ashley, I can see a line.
No bueno. There's no gradual change of color.
Just dark and then brassy orange ends.
Classic ombre gone wrong.


I hate to through LC under the bus, but straight ombre?
Not my cup of tea. As shown above, ombre works very well
with wavy hair. The boho beachy wave is perfect.
When wore straight, I just see fried ends. :(

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Raven has such long hair ... the possibilities could be endless with ombre!
Her hair is so long that you could go from dark brown roots
to blonde ends beautifully.
But bl-orange? Really??!! Come on!

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I never liked Audrina as a blonde. Even on her Hills days
when she had blonde highlights.
No, No, No.
Really?!- No.

Ombre Tips:

• Although I believe that ombre can look good on short hair, I'll side with the long hair gals on this one. The longer the hair, the more length there is for the graduation between dark and light.
• Wavy for ombre. Wearing it straight makes it seem like you haven't been to a hair stylist in years. And if you do wear it straight, make sure your ends aren't fried.
• Keep your ends healthy! Since your ends are getting the most damage, make sure to use the right products and come in for regular trims.
• 3 words, Face Framing Highlights. By having some highlights from roots to ends around your face, it will soften the contrast.
• Don't go pitch black roots to platinum blonde ends. Keep your ombre within 3-5 shades of each other. Let's not relive SJP bad roots days.
• Having the "roots" look doesn't mean you should neglect seeing your stylist. If you're going a little bit lighter as your base color, you still have to regularly come in for root touch up. And if you have face framing highlights-- those need to be touched up regularly as well. 
• Not every stylist does ombre ... be sure to talk to your stylist for a consultation.

I got a chance to do ombre on our lovely receptionist the other day. I loved the way it turned out! :)  

I took her from a warm dark brown to golden caramel ends ...

5 Minute Twisted Updo

My apologies about not being able to post about ombre as promised yesterday. Surprisingly, my day off turned into one of the busiest days ever. And on top of busy Wednesday- I keep wanting to add to the post, and changing things around. I will post about ombre VERY soon (as in tonight with Day 18's hair-do), I pinky swear.

Yesterday's look is a 5 minute up-do, perfect for any occasion. Quick & simple. You can dress it up or down. I paired my up-do yesterday with a grey J.Crew V-neck (is anyone else obsessed with J.Crew v-necks too? They are soooooo comfy) and skinny jeans. But pair it with a LBD- and you've turned into little Miss Posh.

Day Dix-Sept
5 Minute Twisted Updo
Products Used: Aveda Damade Remedy Daily Hair Repair
Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray
Tools Used: 2 Clear Elastic Bands + Bobby Pins
How-To: Using clear elastic bands, tie hair into to pigtails.
Take pigtail and twist.
Take twisted pigtail and roll into a bun.
Using bobby pins, pin bun into place.
(Do on both sides)
Finish with Luminous Hairspray.
Your twisted buns shouldn't look perfect. Remember,
we're staying away from Princess Leila buns.
Having pieces falling out gives your buns a looser look.

Side Twist Poof

I finally know how my clients feel when they're in my chair telling me, "Nina, I can't take it anymore. Just cut it off. I'm SO over this awkward stage. I don't give rat's ass about how long it is!" And this when I grab my pom-poms and cheer them on. "Oh come on! You've come this far! Don't give up now!" Well ... I need 100 cheerleaders. Meh ...

Day 16 is a hybrid between Day 5 & Day 7.

Day Seize
Side Twist Poof
Products Used: Pureology Strengthening Control Hairspray
Tools Used: Flat Iron + Bobby Pins
How To: After Curling Hair, take 2 inch section from side part.
Twist hair once, and push up to create desire "poof" height.
Conceal bobby pin in place.
Finish with Strengthening Control Hairspray.

See you tomorrow for ombre talk over tea. :)

Half way through ...

Woo-hoo!! Day 15 is here! Half way through my challenge. HELL YEA! If I can make it through this 30 day challenge successfully, I debating on whether or not to put in extensions. Just a thought.

Day Quinze
Double Braid
Products Used: Pureology Pure Volume Thickening Spray (On towel-dry hair)
Wella Stay Firm Finishing Spray
It's a 10 Miracle Oil Plus Keratin
Tools Used: Flat Iron to Curl + Bobby Pins
How-To: After curling hair, see Day Quatre
Use It's a 10 Miracle Oil to soothe ends.
Part hair down the middle. (It's been YEARS since I've done a middle part.
And I have to say, I still dig it.)
Take 1/2 inch section on each side & braid.
Conceal bobby pin into braid to hold in place.

I was going to wait to post this picture along with my ombre post (that I'm currently putting together.) But I'm so excited I want to share it right away. Our lovely receptionist, Amanda wanted the ombre and yours truly did the honors today.

Be sure to stay tuned for Wednesday's post about ombre ladies & gents.

Ready for Monday ...

Woah, I can't believe how fast the weekend went by. I said on Friday that I'd post sometime over the weekend and the next thing I know it's Sunday night and I'm 3 blog posts behind. Time flies when your hair is having fun. :)

Day Douze
Preppy Prepster
Products Used: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray
Tools Used: Round Brush + Dryer + Flat Iron (Optional) + Teasing Brush + Bow Headband
How-To: After blowing out your hair straight (see The Classic),
use teasing brush to tease hair at the crown and down to ears.
Use teasing brush to soothe down tease.
Place headband into place.
Putting headband in will create more height to what you
have teased. Soothe down with teasing brush to desired height.
Finish with Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray.

I loved this hairstyle!
I felt so flirty, preppy, cute! (and oh-so humble.)

Day 12 brought wonderful news. Last month, I went in for an audition with Wella to become a Color Educator Training Specialist-- which means I would get the opportunity to go teach color trends and techniques in different salons. I would get to travel to the Wella studios in NYC & LA to train. And on Friday, I got the call saying that I got the job! *high five, down low* I will still be at the salon full-time but at the same time have this opportunity to learn & grow in my career. So the fun hairstyle definitely made the day so much better! I'll be sure to update about the job. :)

Day Treize
Faux Shave
Products Used: Wella Stay Firm Finishing Spray
Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Polishing Serum
Tools Used: Round Brush +Dryer + Flat Iron (Optional) + Bobby Pins
How-To: Follow Steps to The Classic.Push one side of hair back, and pin back with bobby pin.
Finish with Wella Finishing Spray.
Use a bit of Polishing Serum to give ends a sleek shiny look.

Last summer, I shaved a bit from the left of my hair. I was feeling very adventurous and wanted something fabulous and edgy ...

It was always one of my favorite hair styles, and I've contemplated on shaving the side again. Thoughts?

Rain rain go away ... what a crappy Sunday ...

Rainy Sunday from the Salon

With the rain, I wanted to do a hairstyle that didn't require
much styling and would be rain proof.

Day Quatorze
Sweetheart Braid
Products Used: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray
Tools Used: 2 Clear Elastic Bands + Bobby Pins
How-To: One of my favorite hair bloggers, Hair Dresser on Fire
I love following beauty & hair blogs because I
am ALWAYS up for learning new things from
talented stylists.
Sweetheard Braid Tutorial

Photo Credit

So my sweetheart braid looks NOTHING like HDOF. (It didn't even look like a heart.) My layers are so short that braiding my hair into 2 hairs was a challenge itself. After I followed the steps, I ended up with a twisty- half updo. Hey, I thought it was cute ...

I have tons planned for the blog this upcoming week ... Stay posted! Have any questions or something you'd like to see blogged about? I'd love to hear your ideas!

Braid, Braid, Braid

ARRRGHHH! I am getting a tad frustrated with my hair. It's only been 11 days and I hate my hair. I thought about getting hair extensions, but hello that beats the purpose of a 30 Day Hair Challenge. If I got extensions, it'd just be a "30 Days, 30 Different Hair Styles" blog. (But boy would that have been easier.)

Day Onze
Braid Me
Products Used: Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair
It's a 10 Miracle Shine Spray with Noni Oil
Tools Used: Round Brush + Dryer + Flat Iron + Bobby Pins
I didn't use any finishing sprays today,
because I wanted a a very soft look.
How-To: The Nina Classic, see here.
From part, take one section and braid to the side.
Hide bobby pin back into the braid to secure.

If any of you are like me, you're visual learners.
So there is no way you can figure out how to do a side braid
without a tutorial.
Stay posted for a tutorial of how-to do

a side bride!

Side Pony

I'm keeping this post on the shorter side because I have to be up at 6am and it's currently 12:45. *Groans*
Yesterday's classic pony tail was my inspiration for today's style.

Day Dix
Wavy Side Pony
Products Used: Moroccan Oil Luminous Hairspray
It's a 10 Miracle Shine Spray with Noni Oil
I love It's a 10 Miracle Shine Spray because it doesn't leave
the hair greasy or heavy. It's a dry oil spray, just to give enough
shine, but not to weigh the hair down.
Tools Used: Flat Iron + Small Clear Elastic Band
How-To: Curl hair with any curling tool preferred. See Day Quatre Post. (I use a flat iron.)
After hair is curled, run fingers through hair and
lightly spray shine spray to loosen curl.
Using a clear elastic band, loosely tie hair off to the side.
Pick pieces to leave out. (The looser, more messy, the better.)
Finish with Luminous Hair Spray.

The Great Bobby Pin

Before I go into full explanation as to why I believe the bobby pin is the greatest invention since the wheel- here's today's look.

Day Neuf
The Classic Pony
Can't go wrong with a classic pony
with an oh-so cute gold bow headband.
Products Used: Moroccan Oil Luminous Hairspray
(If you haven't caught on yet, I'm in love with the Luminous Hairspray.)
Tools Used: Teasing Comb + Small Clear Elastic Band + Bobby Pins + Headband (Optional)
How-To: After blowing out hair, use teasing comb to give slight
lift at the crown area. (I personally don't like too much height when I'm
doing a ponytail- but to each it's own.)
Using clear elastic band, tie hair into ponytail.
Wrap a little section of hair around elastic to hide elastic band.
Secure with bobby pins.
Using a teasing comb, tease ponytail about 1/4 inch section at a time
to give the pony some fluff.
Finish with Luminous Hairspray. Add headband.

Okay ladies & gentleman ... I would like to present to you the greatest invention ever invented in mankind.

Le Bobby Pin

Yes, something so small and simple-but performs miracles. Yet many of my clients complain about not knowing how to use them or that they "don't work right." They are my favorite tool, and if I was stuck on a island and could only have a certain number of objects with me ... you can bet your last dollar I'd have a pound of bobby pins.

Bobby Pin 101-

Photo Credit

• Bobby pins come in all different colors. Black, brown, silver, gold, pink, blue, etc. Don't worry too much about matching the bobby pin color to your hair color. As long as you know how to hide a bobby pin, you don't have to worry much about matching it to the color of your hair. I once had a client that had grey hair insist that I only use silver bobby pins on her. It took much reassuring and an up-do later to show her that brown bobby pins can be hidden in her grey hair. I like the standard dark brown bobby pin that I buy by the pound.

• Unless you want to visit your dentist more often, don't use your teeth to open a bobby pin. Bobby pins aren't necessarily meant to be opened. They are meant to stay closed and be slid into the hair. Of course there's always an exception to every rule. Sometimes you may need to open a bobby pin slightly. But if you do need to do so, don't use your teeth. What will happen is when you use your teeth to open a bobby pin, it'll stretch the bobby pin too much and then it'll serve no purpose. I hate seeing hairstylist using their mouths to open bobby pins or as a place to keep bobby pins. Come on, clients do not want spit all over the bobby pin you're about to stick into their hair. And let's be real ... no one looks cute doing it. 

Photo Credit

•  If you need space in-between the pin, opt for hair pins. They have move space in-between and can be slid into place.

Photo Credit

•  Learn how to hide a bobby pin. Let's face it, we have all seen it ... the super cute side braid or twist with the huge bobby pin at the end of it that makes the hair stick straight out. I came across this blog post on the Beauty Department blog the other day, and couldn't have said it better myself. (Btw- Love you Lauren Conrad! If you need another person to work on your beauty team .. call me!)

• Less is more. You don't need 50 bobby pins every time you put your hair up. You'll end up with a headache and a up-do that falls. Pin only what you need pinned. Don't put a bobby pin in for the sake of putting a bobby pin in, because next thing you know- you'll have so many bobby pins in, you won't be able to stick the actual bobby pin you need in.