HIGHLIGHTS
Throwback Classic: The Rachel ‘Do
03/01/11 12:09PMI’m betting that at some point in your life, you’ve sat through an episode of the TV show, “Friends.” If by some strange chance you haven’t, then I’ll switch my bet and claim that you’ve heard of Jennifer Aniston. Better? Alright. Jennifer Aniston, who currently holds the title of “America’s sweetheart,” didn’t just personify the ditzy, self-indulged blonde Rachel Green: she pioneered an entire hair revolution. Going back to the first bet I placed, if you’ve seen an episode of the show or have an awareness of its cultural impact, I’m sure you’ve heard of the famous hairstyle affectionately known today as the “Rachel.”
http://www.innewstoday.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/the_rache_hairstyle_jennifer_aniston_photo2.jpg
Aniston completely embodied this style. She had the small, petite frame that was offset by a perfect shoulder-length layered cut that also contained body…a lot of body. Looking back now, the layers that framed her face, the thin and bright highlights that were strategically streaked throughout her hair and the voluminous sass were quintessentially 90s. And she wore that style with pride throughout the mid-90s.
More than just a perfectly 90s look, Aniston’s hair became a much-talked about piece of celebrity news. Fans of the show swarmed to their stylists, requesting the “Rachel” (in interviews today, when asked about the hair, Aniston is quick to voice her amazement on how unbelievable it was that her hair was such a public focus). Women everywhere loved watching Aniston take her character from a sheltered, spoiled rich girl into a hardworking, determined, independent woman; and as much as they loved Rachel Green’s character, they loved her look. It’s just a hairstyle, in reality; but for so many women, this sassy, fun cut had a world of meaning behind it.
Just as Rachel proved to her disapproving parents and disbelieving friends that she was able to learn the value of a dollar and to appreciate hard work and dedication, she was able to prove to American women everywhere that such a development was, in fact, possible. Rachel served as a beacon of inspiration for women who were seeking that same kind of independence and self-sufficiency. By taking the first step-a simple hair cut that mimicked the TV character’s-I believe women were able to embody the characteristics that made audiences everywhere fall in love with the character and turn the actress into a beloved household name.
So hat’s off to you, Rachel Green: you’re definitely not a “shoe” (for reference to this pop-culture quote, check out the pilot episode of “Friends”!)
Hats off to spring!
02/27/11 10:27AMI’m not a hat person, not by any stretch of the imagination. I feel pretty stiffled in hats and caps…even hoods are a no-go. But I think I could become a hat person if it meant that my dabbles into the hat world were limited only to the wide-brimmed sun hat.
I know exactly where my obsession with the sun hat started. I was eleven years old and my mother purchased one for herself on a family trip to South Carolina. I loved the feel of her wide-brimmed straw sun hat; I loved the intricate weaving and the elegant touch it added to and dress or swimsuit. My little hands would snag that hat and stuff it on my head any chance I got.
My desire for the wide, sun hat was only further fueled when I started working at J.Crew and we received a shipment of them as part of our spring and summer collections. The way those hats paired with almost everything in the collection-from shorts and simply V-neck shirts to dresses to swimsuits-made their versatility and simplicity more desirable to me. “Where are you actually going to wear that hat?” my mom asked when I came home one day talking nonstop about the product. “Umm, where WON’T I wear it?” I retaliated.
The thing about hats is that there really isn’t a wrong place to wear them. Baseballs caps aren’t just for baseball games. They’re also for covered premature receding hairlines, for days when we didn’t have time to wash our hair and are trying to hid it and for any warm-weather event where sun is present. Cowboy hats aren’t for Western sheriffs or lone rangers; they’re essentially a required item at any Kenny Chesney concert. And wide-brimmed sun hats aren’t just for the beach. They are a staple item at the Kentucky Derby, perfect for a summer barbecue, picnic or poolside trip, or in my case, going to be quite useful when walking around town daily.
Hats, in my belief, are like any other hair accessory. They compliment and can complete revamp any outfit-I guarantee that for any occasion, there is a hat that can glam up your style. I have made the solemn decision to celebrate spring with a fun sun hat, and I’m going to stick to this. Come sundress weather, you can catch me around town decked out in an oversized tote, designer sunglasses and a fabulous wide-brimmed sun hat to complete any look.
P.S. Interested in rocking out a sun hat this season? Check out these adorable ones from J.Crew!
http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/accessories/hatsscarvesgloves/PRDOVR~74503/74503.jsp
A “Shore”-Fire Sensation: The Mysterious and Illustrious Poof
02/25/11 4:26PMSay what you want about the behavior of the “Jersey Shore” cast-they don’t care. Those kids might be some of the smartest people in America right now, actually, because they’re capitalizing on the nation’s fascination with the party-kid lifestyle; and now, their bank accounts far surpass those of most celebrities and political figures. Those 20-something-year-olds are loving life, having a blast and baring it all for the cameras without shame or hesitation. They might be on the receiving end of nearly every late-night comedian’s jokes, but it’s undeniable that Jersey is slowing starting to seep its way into nearly every facet of the pop culture that we consume.
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2010/07/29/gal_snooki-6split_cr3.jpg
That being said, if the big collage of Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi doesn’t give it away, I’ll verbalize it here: I’m slightly obsessed with the pint-sized guidette who roams the Jersey Shore. Her “I-don’t-give-a-(you know)” attitude, her honest and persistent hunt for a “gorilla juicehead guido,” her insane club outfits that border on lingerie and her mile-high hair have made her somewhat of an icon in the United States. She’s fun, she’s carefree and her one-liners are the stuff of Facebook wall posts and statuses. Most importantly, Snooki is an individual. She single-handedly pioneered one of the biggest hair phenomenon’s of this part of the decade: the poof. Snooki’s hair has reached massive proportions, and you know what? People are loving it! The “Bump-It,” the volume-boosting arch that creates the illusion of a poof, is selling like crazy; and teasing has become increasingly common as women attempt to boost their hair’s height.
Even when people were tearing down the poof, Snooki was still rocking it and building it up higher and higher. She doesn’t care what the critics or “haters” say; she is confident enough-and enough of a trendsetter-to spark her own hair revolution. Much like Jennifer Aniston was the poster child of the “Rachel” cut in the 90s, Snooki has been able to use her hair to create a brand, an entire image, for herself and even incite imitation (which, as we know, is the most sincere form of flattery).
Whatever America’s impression of my beloved Snooki and her Shore housemates may be, I find the girl to be a style and hair icon. She unapologetically dresses and styles herself in the manner that makes her happy, and for that, I find her to be an inspiration to a society that seems to value a socially constructed, “cookie-cutter” standard of beauty that, let’s be honest, is pretty unattainable. Snooki is her own woman, a free-spirit; and for that, I raise my glass of “Ron Ron juice” (the recipe can be found here, in case you’re interested…it’s fabulous, by the way) to the tiny little meatball that has captured viewers’ hearts and hairspray cans.
Curls and spirals and waves…oh, my!
02/17/11 11:58AM
http://celebsalon.sheknows.com/curly-hairstyles/marion-cotillards-super-curly-hairstyle/
To start, when your hair is wet, dab a little bit of scrunching gel in it (mousse works too, but “Cosmo” recommended gel and I just happened to find an inexpensive scrunching gel at the store). I usually let my hair air dry a little bit to cut down blow-drying (thus heat exposure) time; then, finish drying your hair completely with a diffuser. After your hair is completely dry, twist small pieces of hair around your finger and, when your hair is nice and tight and balled up, pin that little chunk of hair to your head with a bobby pin. Repeat this until all of your hair is twisted into small balls and pinned to your head. I sprayed my hair wtih a little spritz of hairspray to help them hold their shape a little better while they sat pinned to my scalp. After 5 mintutes (my hair is pretty thick so I left it in a little longer in order to make sure the curls would come out very tight), take all the pins out and let your hair down. Now go in an use your fingers to massage the roots of your hair, comb through your tresses and just mess your hair up a little bit. The curls are all different sizes, and your fingers will give it that “just played with” look that is absolutely irresistable!
My curls have lasted all day, and I have to say, as the day goes on and they’re exposed to wind and moisture, they’re definitely looking more messy and swept away…that’s a good thing, though. The nonchalant hairstyle is definitely an “in” look now, designed to look fabulous while giving off the impression that you didn’t spend hours on your hair. And you definitely did not spend hours, because the whole process took me about 30 mintutes (air-dry time included).
This technique is a fast, fun way to get those carefree, windswept, fun, bouncy curls you’ve always wanted, so give it a try! Remember, the messier and less “put together” the curls look, the better. Just go crazy with the styling and have fun…and of course, don’t forget to rock your look confidently all day long!
Celebrity secret: long hair w/ lift at the roots
01/16/11 1:54PM
As we eagerly follow our favorite magazines into the spring season (mantra: just have to get through Feb!), poring over the new looks and styles and products that help us achieve them, I’ve noticed a common trend in celebrities with long hair: volume on top.
Frankly, this look is hot. It’s sexy. It’s not easy to achieve without a stylist. Unless… I feel like I recently discovered the secret when I went in to (gulp) get a haircut. I’ve been growing my hair with great success since spring 2010 and the secret to my success with avoid the shears. It’s amazing- just don’t cut it! However. For the past couple months I’ve slowly been coming to terms that looking like a sheepdog did not sexy long hair make. I went in to see my stylist and having learned long ago that it is best to be as specific and neurotic as possible when describing what you want your hair to “become”, I asked her how to keep my length while freshening my look.
The celebrity secret to volume on top? It’s a cut! It’s called the round perimeter. Basically a round perimeter means layers around the face- lots of them- with a couple dragged through the back at varying lengths. The great part is she simply trimmed a half inch off the longest layer in the back.
I started to realize what I stumbled upon as she began to dry and style my look. A little root spritzer and shine serum and a blow dry, et voila. My length was in tact and my hair had volume at the top thanks to some clever layering. I can grow my hair to my butt and keep this style for unweighted down, modern hair.
And for that my friendly readers, you are welcome! I would love to use some before and after pics in a future post if any of you decide to try this. In the meantime, check out the models and celebs with long hair in the magazines, it’s not at all stick straight anymore.
PS. Apparently this spring’s makeup trick is to look slightly rosy, like right before you’re sun-awakened skin begins to base tan. Hmm…
Winter Hair Terrors: Static Edition
11/29/10 8:03AMWhile summer heat and humidity brings frizz and lots of big volume to hair, the winter poses a slightly different problem. I’m sure you’ve all experienced it: you throw on a sweater or pull of a hat-which, by the way, you’re supposed to wear to keep your hair safe from damage in the cold winter months-and suddenly your hair stands on end. Literally. Static is a huge problem for hair in the wintertime, and let’s face it, it’s not pretty. With less moisture in your hair, those strands are a lot more prone to some hair-raising debacles. There are a few tips and tricks to reduce static this season, though; so if you plan on busting out the favorite winter hat, take note!
Leave-in conditioners are said to be the most effective way to re-energize your hair and restore moisture to the strands. It will revitalize your hair and return it to its former rich, luscious glory. Leave-in conditioners are a great way to get your hair back in healthy shape this winter, reducing your chance of static strands too!
If you run into a sticky static situation when you’re on the go (which happens to me quite often in the winter), it can be a little unnerving to have to settle those strands in public. However, I’ve discovered that a little bit of body lotion will do the trick! I always carry lotion in the winter-this season zaps moisture from your skin, too-and when I feel those fly-aways coming on, I rub a little lotion on my hands and run my finger through my hair, trying to add some volume as well as replenishing the moisture. This is a quick fix to solve an immediate fly-away fiasco, so pouring hand lotion into your hair isn’t going to solve the problem. If static is a persistent problem, you’ll definitely want to invest in a leave-in conditioner. For an on-the-go solution, though, lotion is a fast remedy.
Finally, friends of mine have swore up and down that cold water helps alleviate static. Now, I’ve never personally tried this tactic (something about dousing my hair in cold water in the middle of winter seems a little painful), but people claim that rinsing their hair in cold water at the end of a shower will help to lock in moisture and prevent static. If static poses a problem in the winter, I’d try this trick out a few times and see if it works for you as well!
So there you have it: a few tips and tricks to get you through the winter months static free and keep your hair looking as lively and vibrant as possible all year round!
http://unipr.waikato.ac.nz/news/images/20080512OpenDay.jpg
Not your grade school headbands
11/07/10 4:07PMI rarely leave the house without hair accessories, be they clips, pins, headbands or the occasional pair of sunglasses on my head. In fact, it’s safe to say I’m obsessed with hair accessories. As a child, I had containers full of hair bows, ribbons, decorative pins, colorful clips and headbands that sported every hue of the rainbow-and beyond. As I’ve grown up, I’ve abandoned some childhood familiarities. For example, I no longer sport ribbons and bows in my hair, and the colors of my hairpins and clips are more subtle to blend into my hair. But one constant that I refuse to eradicate is my love of the headband.
http://supergluecantfixthis.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/headbands.jpg
I own close to 20 headbands that I wear on a regular basis. They vary is size, color and ornateness; and recently, I’ve begun to venture into the realm of patterns. Headbands are a quick and simple way to touch up my hair on a day when I’m not feeling too hot about my look. They are the perfect accessory to compliment your outfit for a night out on the town; and on the days when I feel like my wardrobe isn’t making too much of a statement, my headbands add a splash of color and fun to my ensemble.
For a while, I bought simple colored bands that would blend with my hair color. However, the newer styles of headbands were too irresistible to pass up, and I started purchasing headbands with bows on them. From there came ornate decorations, like gems and crystals, and finally came the bold and beautiful patterns that I use to spice up plain colors. No longer are headbands for little girls to pop on their heads before they hit the swing set; headbands are becoming a mature and classy addition to your wardrobe and hairstyles.
My favorite headbands come from one of two stores: Forever 21 or J.Crew. These stores supply the most versatile styles and designs at good prices. The headbands are attractive, comfortable and definitely good quality. So if you’ve yet to try on one of the new, stylish bands, what are you waiting for? You’ll love the new style of your hair with a headband in it, and I guarantee the perfect band will spruce up any outfit.
Hairspray’s not just for hair
10/29/10 7:34AMLately, we’ve all been trying to get the biggest bang for our buck; and economical items that serve more than one purpose are all the rage. Growing up with an extremely crafty mother, I learned early that something as simple as butter goes on bread, on the skillet and on surfaces to remove sticky residue. Quick tips using everyday, household objects were ingrained in my head quite often, to the point where I wanted to share them with my friends in order to cut back on everyone’s time-consuming tasks.
Hair products are no different than butter…well, you know what I mean. While reading a college blog site, Collegecandy.com, I stumbled across a particularly handy article that detailed alternative uses of common toiletry products that we all have lying around. I was pretty excited when hairspray made the list, because I knew I could pass on those tips to all you readers!
So, for what else CAN hairspray be used? The article traces some uses. Hairspray serves as a permanent stain remover (who knew?!) and as a handy way to prevent runs in tights and pantyhose. Hairspray can tighten a loose zipper; and if you spray some on a cloth and rub it over linty clothes-VIOLA!-a homemade lint remover.
http://www.dailymakeover.com/blogs/wedding-beauty/flatmm/Hairspray.jpg
The most interesting use for hairspray that I’ve found, though, is as a makeup preserver. Let’s face it, we’ve all been there. You know, doing your makeup before you hit the town and for once having it look all-too perfect. You feel downtrodden, though, because you know by the second you step into a club and start dancing (read: sweating), that makeup is going to run down your face or chunk up. After too many experiences like this my freshman year in college, a girlfriend gave me the magic cure.
“Spray some hairspray on your face. It’ll make your makeup last longer,” she said confidently. Okay, but spraying hairspray on your face sounds like the behavior of a.) a frat boy holding up his end of a dare or b.) a drunk person, right? Actually, it’s not too bad. Hold the can a few inches back from your face and give it a quick spray. A brief spritz is all you need (I don’t spray for more than two seconds-I told you it was quick!!), and I recommend the light-hold spray as opposed to the mega-hold spray. The hairspray trick really does work, creating an extra layer of hold and protection on your face that would otherwise be quickly affected by warm temperatures and crowded buildings.
Hairspray is definitely one of those products that we all have in our homes, and it’s refreshing to know that it serves multiple and useful purposes. Give one of those tips a try and let us know how they work. We’d also love to hear YOUR hand home remedy tips, so share your stories, readers!
Hair Diary: Acai Deep Conditioning Mask
10/25/10 11:15AMHey there folks! It’s been awhile since I’ve posted an update to my hair growing progress. The good news is: it’s growing right along. The bad news is: said growth is marked by my dark roots. I’ve already explained that not only am I attempting to grow my hair into a healthy, silky (and maybe most importantly, enviable) mane, I’m also growing it out while maintaining my blond color.
There are a couple tricks that seem to be helping me avoid crunchy, over-processed hair: the first is when I get my hair’s new growth highlighted, I make sure my stylist only highlights the roots. The second is amazing at making my hair look and feel as though I was born virgin blond- Acai Deep Conditioning Mask by Brazilian Blowout. Truly a lifesaver! Once to twice a week I leave this masque in overnight (and if I don’t have the time for that, 10 minutes in the shower will also help).
After using this mask, I can dry my hair on low and it’s straight without any other hot tools! So far I’ve managed to keep brittleness at bay and will post a picture of my progress later this week.
One tip that works wonders that I mentioned in an earlier post is the Keratin treatment. For those of us who color our hair but want to cut back on hot tools for awhile, I highly recommend this treatment. When booking an appointment make sure you’ve recently colored your hair as the Keratin works best on highlighted/colored hair (love it!). For up to 3 months you won’t have to worry about using a single hot tool to control your style. And that my friends, helps hair grow out healthy.
Chopped: Keira Knightley Edition
10/07/10 5:31AMAbout a month ago, we posted pics about Harry Potter star Emma Watson’s new chopped ‘do. Well, she’s not the only celeb to cut off her locks. Keira Knightley recently debuted her short pixie, and it looks absolutely fabulous.
http://www.glamour.com/beauty/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2010/10/guess-which-star-got-the-chice.html
Keira Knightley is another one of those starletts with whom I’m fascinated. Her awards show clothing as well as her everyday style are amazing; her makeup always looks phenomenal (as if she even has to wear any–she’s absolutely gorgeous!); and her she’s a risk-taker when it comes to her hairstyles. That’s why I’m happy she’s followed suit and decided to switch up her look. While she’s previously sported long, wavy locks, this short cut really shows off her prime bone structure and frames her face nicely. And the color is fantastic. The warm brown scattered with hints of blonde (in just the right light) screams “fall,” and her always-healthy hair is looking as shiny and soft as ever.
Kudos, Keira, on another rocking hair style!