Saturday, August 13, 2011

Summer Wedding Styles

Sophisticated, Beautiful, Regal…all words we want to hear when we look back at our hairstyles for our wedding.
With wedding season here and in full swing, let’s take a look at some of the new hairstyle trends for weddings in 2011. After much research I have realized that one trend that kept repeating itself on runways was the bun. Done in a multitude of ways, the bun is the new updo for the modern day bride. Worn to the side, high, low or with the slight detail of a braid or flower the bun is here to stay. So I have compiled a few pictures of different bun hairstyles that will have you felling like the queen you are.
An added detail like a flower keeps your wedding day hairstyle looking fresh and youthful. Matching the flower in your hair to the one in your bouquet will also keep a sense a unity to your look.
Keeping the details simple in your hairstyle for your wedding day is also important, since added details like a veil or headpiece will sometimes also be added to your look, so a detail like a braid is the perfect lil’ helper to add your own touch to your look.
Details like a hair brooch on your wedding day can add elegance to your look. It provides a classy detail without going overboard and will still be flattering with a veil or headpiece, making your wedding day hairstyle impeccable.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Summer Hair Accessories

Summer is all about light, loose and fun accessories that reflect the vibrant mood of the season.  Use the guide below for tips on the best hair accessories for summer 2011!
Scarves
Not only can they add a boho-chic vibe to an outfit, but they are also super cute when covered in black and white polka dots or a splash of abstract colors.  To get a demure, sophisticated, look go for black and white and tie it over the crown of the head with a little bow or tuck on the side.  If you want an edgier look to match a flowing maxi dress, pick a glossy fabric and tie it around the head a la the 70’s in a bright, vivacious pattern.  The fabric can match your outfit or provide a pop of color if it is neutral toned.  It is best worn with loose, messy hair. 
Flowers
Pick up a thin headband with a large fabric flower on it for a chic addition to any outfit.  The flower theme can be carried over to small, delicate clips or bobby pins as well for a small pop of fun.  Pull back one side of the hair with a clip that has a vibrant blue flower on it for an instant exotic style.  A neutral toned chocolate or beige flower will be more subtle but still noticeable.  A 70’s thin headband around the head with a flower attached (one on each side for the ultimate hippie look!) will add to the chill, relaxed vibe of summer and looks great on the beach.
Headbands
All sorts of headbands have been seen on the runways and celebrities this season.  They range from wide, plain ones to delicate thin bands with hot pink flowers blooming on the sides.  Pick up one with three attached together for a stylish twist on the theme, or go for one with an embellishment to the side for a sleek look.  Vintage and vogue looks work well with this accessory.  A headband with a large bow is also very popular this season!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Hot Summer Hair Trends

Summer is in full swing. While the weather is beautiful, the humidity that comes with it often leaves most of us in a hairstyle rut. Ponytails and buns are cute, but can become repetitive, so read below for some summer hairstyle inspiration.
  1. Braids
Braids are everywhere this season and for good reason – they work with any hair type or length, and are the perfect way to keep hair out of your face while participating in your favorite summer activities.
The latest braids trend is the fishtail style. The simplest explanation of a fishtail braid as compared to a basic braid is that the hair is split into two sections instead of the traditional three sections.
However, don’t limit yourself to just the fishtail style this summer; consider braiding along your hairline a la Lauren Conrad above (great when growing out your bangs) or try adding a few thin braids using pieces from the underneath section of your hair so they peek out and add interest to a low ponytail or bun.
  1. Beachy Waves
Curls and waves are always in for summer because they are a great way to work with the natural texture of your hair. The whole point of this hairstyle is not to overdo it. All summer hairstyles are about simplicity and staying away from blow dryers and heat styling tools.
For starters, apply mousse and a salt spray to freshly washed hair. Scrunch the hair with your hands and let it air-dry. If you don’t have the time – or patience – for air-drying, go ahead and blow dry, using a diffuser attachment.
  1. Bright Highlights
Color is in this season! From hot pink lips to neon nail polish and the mermaid red-hair trend, bright colors have been everywhere recently.
Instead of taking the plunge with an all-over permanent hair color, try adding bright highlights streaks to your tresses. I suggest shades of blue, purple, pink, and red to achieve an eye-catching look.
To keep the look from being overwhelming, only dye a few strands that frame your face, choose to dye strands in the mid-to-lower layer of your hair, or just dye some of the ends of your hair.
  1. Feathers + Flowers
Feathers are a new hair trend, while flowers are a classic hair accessory – and both are super hot for summer. While the feather hair trend will likely continue to be popular throughout the fall and winter, flowers are most appropriate during the summer, so take full advantage of this look while you can.
If you want to try the flower look, flower hair accessories are also available at retail stores, but it’s so much easier to pick a fresh flower yourself. Flowers look adorable tucked behind your ear or placed in a side-bun.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Lauren Conrad's Dip Dyed Hair


“Reality TV”-how does that word taste in your mouth? We either eat it up or spit it out, but there’s always that one person who’s the exception to the rules of the reality star world. Lauren Conrad has risen to the top of her career with two fashion lines, three books, and a beauty website, without falling into the doom and gloom that usually comes with the post-reality show life. Although she came to fame as our favorite “character” on Laguna Beach andThe Hills, Conrad was never just your typical reality star—we knew right away that the girl had spunk. But spunk in the form of dip-dyed ends? Even we didn’t see this coming from the always classy fashion princess. But guess what, we got your back Lauren. We are BIG fans of the dip-dye trend.
Conrad left the power up to us in the form of a poll on her beauty site.  She asked readers whether or not she should leave the tie-dyed tips to the “rebelling teens,” but we all know that there’s nothing better than those teenage years. Sixty percent of “Do It’s” got the job done, and uh…who’s to say whether or not my finger hit the “Do It” button more times than one. Conrad posted the result today and opted for tie-dyed ends of purple, pink, and blue. And well, with a few tousled strands of purple hair myself, I can’t say I hate it.
Like it, love it, want it? Here are some tips on how to dip dye your own hair. After all, this is a new generation of party people.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Keep Dandruff at Bay

If you have dandruff, do not worry about being alone with your problem. With one out of every two people in the entire world having, or having had, that same problem as yours, you are definitely not alone with it. Dandruff is a common hair problem. Embarrassing indeed, but a very, very common problem nonetheless.
What causes dandruff? Well, you see, our skin, from our scalps to the soles of our feet, sheds dead skin cells on a daily basis. We get a complete coating of new skin every 28 days or so, but we hardly even notice it.
Our bodies also play host to a lot of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, feeding off on the sebaceous oils that our skin produces. Our scalp in particular is home to a kind of fungus called malassezia fungus, and its food is the oils produced by the hair follicles of our scalp. Dandruff happens when, for some reason or another, the malassezia fungus goes crazy and irritates our scalp, causing the dead skin to shed a lot faster. So, instead of shedding the dead skin cells of our scalp for a month, the shedding happens in less than two weeks, and the oil that our hair follicles produce cause these dead skin cells to clump together and become dandruff.
Dandruff is an embarrassing hair condition, and it can recur despite your best efforts. But with proper hair care, the recurrence of dandruff can be controlled. The best way to keep the flakes at bay is to shampoo your hair every day – picture perfect hair.
Dandruff can, of course, become stubborn, so if washing everyday with your regular shampoo does not stop the flakes from becoming haywire, the next best thing to do would be to start using anti-dandruff shampoos. Look for anti-dandruff shampoos with zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, salicylic acid or ketoconazole as the active ingredient. To keep your scalp from developing immunity to these shampoos, go ahead and rotate brands at least once a month.
For optimum results, you can lather your hair with the shampoo of your choice twice. The first wash will clear the scalp of the flakes and the oil buildup. The second one would let the chemicals in the shampoo get absorbed by the scalp – haute hair.
You can also try homemade remedies to wash the flakes away and to keep the dandruff from recurring. What is considered the best homemade remedy to dandruff is a vinegar wash. Mix two teaspoons of vinegar with six teaspoons of water and rub it against your scalp before you go to bed, then wrap your head with a towel. Apply the same solution to your hair once again in the morning when you wake up, then rinse it with water. You do not have to worry about the smell of vinegar in your hair, as the smell of vinegar does evaporate eventually.
Whatever you do, never, ever scratch the clumps with your fingernails. It will cause wounds on your scalp.
Dandruff is an embarrassing hair condition, but it is not unmanageable. Just take good care of your hair and the flakes will go away.