Bird's Nest Bun: Tress Trend

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Do you feel rushed when it comes to your morning beauty routine? Take the fuss out of styling by wearing a bird's nest bun.
Blond babes like Kate Hudson, Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Lopez have all donned loose, twirly topknots. Elsewhere, big, messy buns ruled the fall 2011 runways of Chanel and Zang Toi. And Stylelist network blogger Beth Jones paid homage to casual Carrie Bradshaw-esque by recreating the classic updo.
Whether you're in between blow-outs or taking a break from the flat iron, "Project Runway" celebrity stylist George Ortiz believes this is a wearable style suited for different face shapes and hair textures.
Follow these three steps to get this easy, yet elegant hairstyle at home:
1. Spritz hair with Cutler Volumizing Spray and blow dry using a flat brush, directing the root of hair toward the area where you want the bun to sit.
2. Gather strands into a ponytail at the crown of your head using an elastic holder or bungee cord.
3. Loosely twist hair into a bun and secure the knot with bobby pins, and set with a medium hold hairspray like Redken Quick Dry 18.
Final pro tip: leave a few wisps along the hairline out for a fresh finish or apply a little Cutler Fly-Away Control onto a toothbrush and smooth the hairline back to create a sleeker look.

Flat Iron Tips: How To Straighten Your Hair Without Damage

“What kind of flat iron do you use?” Ryan Tamras, my hairdresser at New York City's Chris Mitchell Studio, asked when trimming off inches of my split ends.
“Ummm….” I couldn’t even think of the brand name. “I bought it at a drug store?”
“How many years have you had it?”
I blankly stared back at his shear-wielding stature.
“What temperature do you keep it at?” he asked.
“You can change the temperature?” I responded.
By this point Ryan had realized that I was clearly clueless when it came to straightening my own hair, something I have done on a regular basis for close to a decade.
“No wonder your hair is so fried,” Ryan said, as he pulled out a notebook and proceeded to give me instructions on how to care for my sad strands.
As I have fine, wavy (and supposedly damaged) hair, Ryan suggested that my first step to recovery was to clean up the split ends and cut a bit of length. “It will only get worse,” he instructed, showing how my disgusting habit of picking at my split ends had caused the bottom four inches of my hair to resemble a rat’s nest. After cutting off the thin and most frayed portion of my hair, he suggested that I step up my bi-annual haircut to every three months. “Trimming your ends more regularly will actually make your hair grow,” he claims. Ah, I have heard this before, but have always been skeptical. Will getting my hair cut more regularly make it grow faster? (I'll address this in another post). At the very least, I won't have to have quite so much hair cut off at my next trim.
With a new, shorter style (about 4 inches), Ryan began instructing me on how to maintain my healthier locks, starting with a boot camp in flat irons. His how-to-have-healthy-heat-styled-hair rules below:
1) Invest in your flat iron. A quality flat iron should last up to 10 years. Make sure to purchase one that says “ceramic plates,” which will ensure that the heat is evenly distributed. Don’t skimp on the purchase, it will cause more damage in the long run. The first thing I did when I got home was throw away my flat iron, which I realized must have been over six years old. As per Ryan’s recommendation, I tried the FHI Platform. Lightweight, simple and ceramic, the FHI flat iron also had the option to adjust the temperature. I had a winner. I also liked the CHI Auto Digital Iron which was similarly lightweight, offered different temperatures and additionally had a timer to automatically shut off. No more worrying I left my flat iron on after leaving the house.
2) A heat protector is a must! Ryan recommended MoroccanOil. For fine hair, use MoroccanOil Light. Avoid applying any heat protector 2 1/2 -3 inches from the scalp because they contain oil, which will make your hair look greasy. Put a drop on your hands, rub your hands together and then apply from the bottom up, as if your fingers are a comb. With this kind of product, a little bit goes a long way. With our Beauty Editor Dana Oliver's help, I found some Kerastase Nectar Thermique and MoroccanOil Light. In addition to my Living Proof “Restore” shampoo, conditioner and leave-in conditioning treatment, I was ready to flat iron.
3) Make sure the temperature is right for your hair. This is a big one. My hair should only be ironed at a low setting, below 300 degrees, as it is fine and damaged (the same goes for chemically treated hair). Normal hair can be ironed at 300-380 and thick, coarse or extra curly hair at 350-400. Start at a lower level and increase as needed. I had to rule out some options like the Remington Style Pink 1'’ Ceramic Flat Iron, as although I liked the bright packaging I couldn’t adjust the temperature and the auto setting was too hot for my hair.
Not only have I received compliments on my super-straight hair since I got it cut almost two months ago, but I have noticed a significant improvement in my hair quality: it's softer, smoother, shinier and appears to be growing faster. And since it's been a few months since I last saw Ryan, it's about time I schedule another trim.
Take a look at some of our favorite straight hair looks below:

What We're Trying Now: Matte Pink Lips

By now, with summer almost more than half over, most of us have acquired some sort of tan -- real or fake. Either way, the best thing to pair with slightly bronzed skin is a pink lip. We're talking bright, day-glo, basically neon. This week, we're channeling the super-saturated, matte lip color at DVF and Jil Sander this past spring. Emma Stone and Julia Restoin-Roitfeld have also followed suit, wearing the somewhat shocking shade with an otherwise bare face. (With color this extreme, it's best to keep the rest of your makeup minimal.)
As far as getting a matte finish, color that actually stays AND lips that won't dry out, you have a few options. The new NYX matte lip creams are amazing: vivid pigment but with a cushy balm-like texture. Also in the way of super-hydrating: Josie Maran's double-ended Magic Marker Lip Stain with Argan creates color and moisture that will last throughout the day. And If you prefer lipstick, blot YSL's Rouge Pur in Fuchsia Pink down to create a stain; repeat to build lasting color.

Miley Cyrus' Sleek New Bob

Another day. Another Disney starlet with a new hairdo.
While teeny-boppers were going insane over Demi Lovato tweeting a photo of her transformation from redhead to blond babe on Sunday, Miley Cyrus made a Twitter comeback unveiling a much more mature look. The 19-year-old "Hannah Montanna" star posted a picture of her sporting a chic bob with the message: "Got ANOTHER hair cut! You likey?!"

However, the reaction wasn't what Cyrus expected. "All y'all are saying its soooo short! Only cut about an inch & a half off tonight! In total about 5 inches!!! I love it! So liberating," she replied. And I say more power to you, Miley!
While I'm getting a total Jennifer Aniston vibe with this blunt bob, the cut complements her oval face shape and big brown eyes. What do you think?

 

Bad Beauty Habits to Break

6 Bad Beauty Habits to Break Now

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Hi everyone, Whether it's not always washing your face or not always washing your brushes, we are all guilty of a few bad beauty habits that we know we ought to break. What better time than the start of a new year?

See why clear lip gloss is a makeup lover's must have

Here is a list of the six bad beauty habits that I challenge everyone to break in 2012. And yes, I am guilty of some of the things on this list. (Hey, nobody's perfect! We all need to try harder!) See them all below.

1. Not removing makeup
This one is pretty basic, but it still needs to be said. Taking off your makeup before you go to sleep at night is so important. When in doubt, reach for the extra virgin olive oil! 2. Not wearing sunscreen
Apply a sunscreen or moisturizer with SPF everyday to protect it from the sun. Your face (and health) will thank you later.
3. Not drinking enough water
Soda does not count as water.
4. Using bar soap to wash your face
*Shudders*.
5. Using moisturizer on the eyes
Use eye cream!
6. Wearing foundation that does not match your skin tone
If you'e unsure about what foundation you ought to be using, try a couple out at a cosmetics counter and have one of the makeup artists help you to find a formula and color that accurately matches your skin's tone and texture.

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

Shampoo less, we dare you.About 90% of Americans shampoo daily. One hundred years ago, people only washed their hair monthly, and in the 1950s, it was customary for women to have their hair washed and set once a week at the salon.

Related: Eight Things Your Hair Says About Your Health

A clean head of hair feels fresh and smells great but over-washing can turn one's healthy locks into a pile of straw. The average person's hair grows less than half an inch per month so long strands that have been subjected to a lot of shampooing (as well as chemical treatments, blow drying, and the elements), tend to get dried out and dull at the ends and even break off. Dirtier hair-gasp-also holds a style better.

How often you need to shampoo depends on how oily your scalp is and your hair's texture. Oil-known as sebum-travels more easily down smooth, straight hair, making it look greasier faster. Sounds a little gross, but sebum helps moisturize and waterproof the hair shaft. This is one reason why curly or coarse hair is drier. When you wash every day, you typically strip off this natural moisturizer and then have to slather it back on in the form of commercial conditioner.

 Shine that shampooing a couple of times a week is plenty. "If you can't stand a being a little oily, then coat your wet hair with conditioner up to the ears to protect it and then just wash the scalp." On gym days, try simply rinsing with water instead of shampooing and finish with a light conditioner to detangle. Another tip is to "spot clean around the hairline with a little dry shampoo. It will also help stretch the time between blow outs."

Shampooing does stimulate the scalp, which brings blood flow and healthy nutrients to the hair follicles. As an alternative, of a gentle daily scalp massage and regular brushing with a good quality hairbrush.

People with flaky scalps may be inclined to shampoo frequently, but dermatologist and spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology, Nia Terezakis, MD says this can actually exacerbate the problem. "When you have a flaky scalp its not dirty, its dandruff or a form of psoriasis,"! Shine. "Use a shampoo formulated for dandruff and let it sit on your scalp for 20 seconds before rinsing." You can follow up with a separate shampoo and conditioner of your choice, "But don't scrub," she advises. "It will flake even more."

When you choose a shampoo, Terezakis says to pick a product that is made for your specific hair type whether it be oily, dry, limp, curly, etc. "Companies spend a lot of money on cosmetic chemists and different products really do work." One exception: "Baby shampoos aren't necessarily gentle on adult hair," she warns. "They are made because babies squirm. They don't sting the eyes but they can be drying."

If you are used to washing your hair daily, it can take a few weeks to get used to a new routine. You may be over producing sebum to compensate for stripping the scalp. Gradually increase the days between shampooing and see if your hair becomes healthier and takes more time to appear dirty as a result.

Ali Larter NEW HAIRCUT

New mom, new haircut! Ali Larter recently freshened her hairstyle, debuting a brand-new bob on the red carpet earlier this month. “Ali was looking for a totally re-vamped look,” salon owner Andy LeCompte, Larter’s hairdresser and a Wella Professionals celebrity stylist, tells PEOPLE. “Cutting your hair is a big step for a lot of people, and Ali has had long hair for years. She was excited and ready for the change.”

Thankfully, the actress has no regrets. “She really had a strong idea that she was ready for a fresh new look and was not uncertain at all,” LeCompte shares. “Ali is loving her new cut! She loves the freedom and ease of it.”

In fact, it’s quite easy for the star to transform her hairstyle in a matter of minutes. “She can take her look from every day to the red carpet by adding something as easy as a deep side part, or adding texture with a product like Wella Professionals ocean spritz beach texture spray,” LeCompte explains.
And the style works well for new moms like Larter, too. “Shorter hair is great for fuss-free styling, which complements the busy lives of moms everywhere — not just in Hollywood,” he shares. “I also think new moms experience this newfound confidence and find it liberating to not hide behind their hair.”
LeCompte predicts that other trendsetters will likely follow in Larter’s footsteps soon. “For so long the ideal hair for a woman was long, flowy and down to your hips,” he shares. “Women are experimenting more and are realizing that you don’t have to sacrifice your femininity if you cut your hair.”

The Secret to Getting Ultrahot, Hot-Roller Hair

Thanks to the overly hair-sprayed bouffants of the '60s (not to mention the winglike side flips of the '70s), hot rollers have often gotten a bum rap. "I think that that's the nightmare that you don't want — that you suddenly have these two huge, voluminous, poofy sides all going backwards, when in reality you're looking for that ultraglam, fluid movement". So dust off that old hot roller set, and see Joey's tips for making this classic hairstyling tool fit into your modern needs. Just keep reading for more.

Take part: "So that you don't end up looking like you need to put a pair of hot pants and roller skates on, focus on wearing your hair where it's parted," "If you have a part on the left side of your head or vice versa, try to keep the rollers all going in the same direction."
Around the clock: "When you get to the other side of your head, the roller direction is under, and on the opposite direction it's over. Basically, you're going counterclockwise, and the rollers are all going in the same direction," 
All set: "What you end up with is something more glamorous — very Veronica Lake — and when you brush it out, it will be so sexy!"  "What's great about that is that it looks really fluid and both sides aren't Farah Fawcett-ing back." And that's how you look more hot damn than granny-glam.