Greetings from NYC!

Hello from NYC!

Before I go into my post today, I'd like to take a minute and honor a legend in the hair industry-- Vidal Sassoon. 

RIP Vidal Sassoon

You will be greatly missed.

I'm up here for a Dreamcatchers Extensions Class and lucky me-- my good friend Claire just moved to Brooklyn so I'm staying with her. I have to say, Brooklyn is UH-MAZING.

I'm ready to pack everything I own and move on her pull-out couch & live the New York dream. 

So yesterday was my LAST DAY of my 30 Day Hair Challenge. Wooooo-hooooo! I can't believe I managed to stay sane throughout the whole thing. And after 30 days ... my hair has gotten ridiculously longer than it was when I started. :) *chest bump* So now, if anyone has trouble growing out of their hair when they reach the awkward stage-- I'm directing them to my 30 Day Hair Challenge.

Day Trente

Hippie Handband

So the last time I tried to rock the hippie headband look--

it was NYE. And the way I positioned the headband in the

middle of my forehead. And it was so tight I about 

gave myself an aneurism. 

So I decided on the last day of my challenge that I'd try

the style that I love so much but couldn't rock---until now. 

Products Used: Moroccanoil Treatment

Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray

Tools Used: Flat Iron to Curl + Headband + Bobby Pins

How-To: Curl hair with flat iron (or curling iron or wand). See Day Quatre.

Place headband in over hair. 

Normally when you put in a headband you place it underneath your hair

against your nape. But this time put it over your hair.

This will push the hair at your crown up, giving you a fuller look.

Since I have a HUGE forehead that I don't like to accentuate,

 I don't place the headband directly on it.

 But if you can-- more power!

Position the headband about 1 inch away from hairline.

Secure with bobby pins if needed.

Finish with Luminous Hairspray.

Seriously, I CANNOT get enough of NYC. I'm quite upset that I'm leaving tomorrow night to come home. Woommpppp-Woommppppp. My friend Claire has taken me to some of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Food coma all the way.

Cafe Giante
The.best.French.Bistro.Ever.
'nuff said.

The Lodge
Mac and Cheese is to die for.
Literally.

Nighty-night from Brooklyn! Be sure to stay tuned for a Dreamcatchers Extensions Post! I'm so excited to share what I learned. :)

6 Day Catch Up

Man, I swear times goes by so flipping fast. I feel like my youth is starting to slip through my fingers at the age of 22. 5 days ago, I told myself that I'd post my Day 24 hairstyle tomorrow-- and tomorrow turned into Day 29. 

Well ... great news! I decided to make my first post-college big girl purchase last week ...

Yes, I finally hopped on the Mac Book Train and buckled down and bought my very first Mac Book. I've been so busy that today is the first day that I can actually use it!  My poor PC was on life support for the past few months, but I didn't have the heart to let it go. But when it kept over heating and shutting itself off every time I tried blogging-- I just had to pull the plug. You know what that means? Be sure to stay tuned for picture and video tutorials. *thumbs up*
In other great new before I post the Day 23-29 hairstyles, I am going to NYC tomorrow. It was a last minute trip for a rescheduled Dreamcatchers Extensions class. I'm taking the bus up tomorrow with my friend Claire and staying with her until Thursday. And I will be posting while in NYC! Very exciting.

Okay-- Ladies & Gents your Feature Presentation ...

Day Vingt-Quatre
Half Up-Half Down
This is quick and easy-especially when you're running out
the door-- like I was last Wednesday.
It's nothing fancy, but it gets your hair out of your face.
Funny thing, I remember this being one of my favorite
hairstyles when I was in elementary school!
Products Used: Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Repair
Morrocanoil Luminous Hairspray
Tools Used: Round Brush + Dryer + Black Elastic Band
How-To: After blowing hair out straight, take half of hair
and tie with elastic band.
Finish with Luminous Hairspray.

Day Vingt-Cinq

Bun, bun, bun, bun, bun.

What's different from this bun than my Ballerina Bun

is that I left more loose pieces in the front.

The Ballerina Bun gives a more sleek style versus this

is a lot more soft.

Products Used: It's a 10 Leave In Conditioner with Keratin

Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray

Tools Used: Curling Rod + Black Elastic Band

How-To: Leaving pieces of hair out in the front and around the face,

wrap hair into bun and tie with black elastic band.

If some pieces are sticking out from bun, 

use Luminous Hairspray to lay them down.

Using curling wand, wrap loose hair around to give slight bend.

You don't want too much curls-- you don't want them to be tendrils.

Day Vingt-Six

Twisty-Twister

This style is similar to Day 15 Double Braid's Hairstyle,

but instead of braids, it's twists. 

And I realized after doing the Double Braids with the center-part,

I do not like showing off my forehead THAT much.

That's a lot of forehead.

The side part softens the look and doesn't make it as harsh.

Products Used: It's a 10 Leave-In

Kendra Volume Spray Super Hold Finishing Spray 25

Tools Used: Flat Iron (to curl) + Bobby Pins

How-To: Curl hair with either flat iron, curling iron, or wand.

Part hair off side and take 1 inch sections and twist upward & back.

Twist until about 1 inch of hair is left.

Secure with bobby pin.

On Day 27-- I reunited with my college girlfriends for a fashion show. I attended my college's fashion show as an alumni. The college that I went to (Marymount University) puts on a fashion show every year before graduation. The fashion students submit garments for the show and the seniors show their senior collections. I can not believe it's been a year since my clothes were on the runway. (For those of you who don't know-- aside from doing hair, I went to school for fashion design.)

My designs for the fashion show last year.

Back to the point-it was so nice to reunite with my girlfriends. I've missed them SO much. It's just not the same now that our desks aren't next to each-other.

Kelly & I

Dana D, Kelly, Me, Dana C

Kathleen, Denise, Rachel, Me

The Danas & I
Day Vingt-Sept
Bump-It
Products Used:Kendra Volume Spray Super Hold Finishing Spray 25
Moroccanoil Treatment
Tools Used: Teasing Brush + Bobby Pins
How-To: Section 4 inch section in front. (Width of the bump can vary depending on how
wide you like it.) With teasing brush, tease the section.
Height of the bump will vary depending on how high you want it.
Using the Kendra 25 Spray slick sides back.
Secure sides with bobby pins.
Be sure to conceal bobby pins-- this style has a sleek finish so you don't
want to show any bobby pins.

Day Vingt-Huit
Headbands GaloreWhat I realized now that I have longer hair ...
I HAVE NO HAIR ACCESSORIES.
I literally have 3 headbands and 2 flowers.
So my next step: Update my accessories bin.
Products Used: Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair
It's a 10 Miracle Shine Spray with Noni Oil
Tools Used: Round Brush + Dryer + Headbands
How-To: Blow hair out with flip. See Day Deux.
Place in 2 small headbands.
Finish with It's a 20 Miracle Shine Spray.

Woo-hoooooooooo!!!!!!!! I can't believe tomorrow is the last day of my 30 Day Hair Challenge! I freakin' did it! :) Today's hairstyle wasn't that welcomed at the salon today ... my bosses weren't thrilled that I rolled into the salon Au-Naturel. (I managed to pull it back into a bun just so I wouldn't get fired for most of the day.) I figured, hey- might as well show you guys what I look like with no effort. Take this as warning, you've been warned.

 

Day Vingt-Neuf

Au-Naturel

My natural hair is NOT cute.

Not cute by any means. It's flat on top with frizzy wavy ends.

SUPER FRIZZY ENDS. It's really a pain in the rear-end.

I feel like my hair can tell weather or not it's gonna rain.

As a kid, I used to have ringlet curls. Over the years, they've flattened & frizzed.

Gee, thanks puberty.

Products Used: N/A

Tools Used: N/A

How-To: Wash & Go

Stay tuned for tomorrow's final post from NYC! :) I'm super excited!! 

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?

J'Adore Charlize

Charlize Theron and her fabulous self. I have a client that specifically asks me to style her hair like Charlize Theron after I highlight and cut her hair. I always thought the style was pretty, but it wasn't until I saw the double page spread in a magazine this month that I went absolutely nuts. Oh my goodness, Charlize Theron is stunning! So elegant and classy. Obsessed!

Photo Credit

So I'm not strutting down the runway in a fabulous gown nor do I have a perfect statuesque frame but I do have the tousled chignon down. Oh the "I've been running around town and my chignon still looks amazing" look.

Day Huit
J'Adore Charlize
So in the Dior commercial, Charlize was running around the city
to make it in time for her fashion show.
I was running from my house to my car.

Products Used: Moroccan Oil Luminous Hair Spray
Tools Used: Teasing Comb + Bobby Pins
How-To: On dry hair take 3 in section (eyebrow arch to eyebrow arch)
about 1 inch in width. Leave Down.
Take hair into ponytail, but instead of tying a hair tie around it--
fold hair over to the right.
Using closed bobby pins, secure chignon in place.
It doesn't have to be perfect!
Take 3 inch section and tease until desire height.
(I wouldn't go too high- it begins to look matronly.)
Brush back & finish with Luminous Hair Spray.

I'm going to try my best from now on to take pictures while I'm styling,

to make the instructions easier to follow!

I have a very interesting post lined up for tomorrow about

my favorite tool of all time ...
bobby pins.
Stay tuned!

... and I'm back!

Hello again, I'm back from my blog-cation. I got the internet working again but have been so busy, I haven't gotten a chance to sit down and blog. It takes up a-lot of time! As promised, I have continued to do my hair challenge. And today marks Day 7. I'm running low on ideas, and may have to bust out the pigtails. Adult pigtails are cute ... right?
Let's see where I left off ... I left off at Day Deux (2) with "Le Flip."
Drum roll please ...

Day Trois
The short-hair ballerina bun
Products Used: Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair
Kendra Volume Spray 25
Tools Used: Round Brush + Dryer + Small Clear Plastic Bands +
Bobby pins + Headband of Choice (Optional)
How-To: Apply Aveda Damage Remedy when wet, and finger dry completely.
Use round brush to blow-out bangs.
With a clear plastic band, tie hair in low pony-tail & wrap hair into a bun.
Using bobby pins, secure bun in place.
Finish with Kendra Volume Spray.

I have to say, after being short for so long I did the happy dance
when I realized I could finally pull my hair back. :)

Day Quatre-
I make the decision to darken my lavender highlights.

Day Quatre
Down and Flirty!
Products Used: Wella Leave-In Balm For Color Treated Hair
Wella Stay Firm Finishing Spray
Tools Used: Dryer + Flat Iron
How-To: Apply Wella Leave-In Balm and dry completely.
Take 1 inch sections- with flat iron (or curling iron)
curl until entire head is curled.
I don't like the "crunchy" look so I just spray the Finishing Spray
after I finish each section very lightly.
With fingers or brush, brush through curls to loosen.
Finish with Stay Frim Finishing Spray.

Day Cinq
Twisty Twist
Products Used: It's a 10 Leave-In Conditioner & Miracle Finishing Spray
Tools Used: Dryer + Round Brush + Bobby Pins
How-To: Apply leave-in conditioner to towel dry hair.
Follow Instructions on how to achieve Le Flip.
Take a 1.5 inch section of hair in the front (typically bangs section)
and begin to twist upward.
Twist until there's only about 1/2 left of free hair.
Without opening the bobby pin, slide bobby pin back into twist to secure.
1-3 bobby pins can be used depending on thickness of twist.
Finish with Miracle Finishing Spray.

Day Six

Yesterday was a big wedding day for me.
I got the pleasure to do hair for a bride during the day
(I will post pictures as soon as I get them!)
and then got to attend another wedding in the evening.

When I got home ... I realized that I didn't take a picture of the back. 

Excuse the outfit change.

For those of you who don't know,

 I do bridal hair during wedding season.

Faux Bob
(Now I know I've been dying to grow my hair out. But I love the idea
of a sassy 'Faux Bob' for a formal event.)
Products Used: It's a Ten Leave-In Conditioner
Moroccan Oil Luminous Hairspray
Tools Used: Dryer + Flat Iron (or Curling Iron) + Bobby Pins
How-To: Apply leave-in conditioner to towel dry hair.
Follow instructions from Day Quatre (see above)
on how to achieve wave.
Using bobby pins, tuck back of the hair and pin.
Keep it loose & messy, you don't want things too perfect
or else it will turn into an up-do.
After back is tucked and pinned, pull pieces out to give
a messy look. Finish with Luminous Hairspray.

Day Sept- 1 week, Hoorah!
Le Poof- Move over Snooki!
Products Used: Hempz Couture Haute Mess Dry Shampoo
Pureology Strengthening Control Hairspray
Tools Used: Flat Iron (or Curling Iron) + Bobby Pins
How-To: I loved the way my curls looked this morning from
yesterday's Faux Bob. So I decided to keep them.
I used a dry shampoo to make sure my hair didn't look oily.
Is is me, or is dry shampoo the best thing since sliced bread?
Apply dry shampoo to roots. With flat iron (or curling iron)
re-touch curls that have loosened.
Take section from middle eyebrow to middle eyebrow
about 3 inches wide.
Push hair forward until poof height is achieved.
Secure in place with by sliding unopened bobby pins into poof.
Run fingers through curls and spray with
Strengthening Control Hair Spray.

Phewwwww, I survived 1 week!
Only 3 more weeks to go.
I got this.

Be sure to stay posted- I've got some interesting hair tips

& facts to share this week!
(And this week, I won't wait to post pictures of the hair challenge
so you won't get a Nina overload!)