Blow Dry Boot Camp: Diffuse Me?

Working in a salon, I have noticed a lot of clients have never tried to diffuse their hair. Nor do they even know what a diffuser is! Yet, they can find one under their bathroom sink. Do you fit in this category? Do you have wavy or curly hair that frustrates you because your curl is "uneven" or frizzy?  I was in the same boat until I embraced my natural texture of hair. My diffuser is now a go to styling tool. And, guess what? I heart it! Using a diffuser and wearing your hair curly will only take about ten minutes to style and looks good!

A diffuser is a blow dryer attachment that helps evenly distribute the heat to your hair. Allowing you to dry your hair without a strong stream of hot air (curly hairs worst enemy). Using a diffuser with the right product enhances your curl making the end result beautiful even curls.

Here's step by step instructions to get gorgeous curls:

1. It all starts with a great shampoo and conditioner! Use a shampoo and conditioner that helps boost curl. Unless your hair is dry or damaged. If so, use a type that will nourish your locks with what it's lacking.
2. Towel dry your hair very gently. You don't want to rub your hair and cause frizz.
3. Grab your styling products girls! You will need a leave in conditioner, curl enhancing lotion, light gel, pomade and hair spray. Evenly distribute the leave in conditioner. I like to cocktail the curl enhancing lotion and gel and scrunch it in the hair. Then take your pomade and scrunch that product into your hair.  By using the right products your hair will be healthier, shinier, less frizzy and more manageable. All meaning....better looking curls! Do not skip this step.
4. Take your dryer and attach the diffuser. Set your dry to a low setting. Then, tilt your head to one side and place the diffuser close to your roots and hold it there until dry. Repeat the process while tilting your head back and to the opposite side as well. Take your ends and lay them into the diffuser, then lift the dryer up towards your scalp and hold. Your hair will form a circular pattern inside the diffuser so you get curls. Repeat this process with small sections of hair until your strands are almost dry, but not completely. That will only cause frizz.
5. If applies, style your bangs.*Please refer to my posts Blow Dryers: Blow Me Away! and Brushing Up On Hair Brush Basics to ensure your using the right tools!
6. End with an light liquid hair spray for extra hold.

If your hair dryer didn't come with a diffuser attachment you can purchase one at Amazon.com. The Solano finger softstyler is a great choice!

RememberPractice makes perfect and perfection takes more than 5 minutes to achieve! When your hair looks good, you feel good. Don't short change yourself.

Blow Dry Boot Camp: Voluminous and Bouncy

Want to look like you just stepped out of the salon? Follow these steps and you will produce voluminous and bouncy salon quality styled hair right in your own bathroom!

1. It all starts with a great shampoo and conditioner! Use a shampoo and conditioner that adds volume. Unless your hair is dry or damaged. If so, use a type that will nourish your locks with what it's lacking.
2. Towel dry your hair well.
3. Grab your styling products girls! You will need a root lifter, light gel or mouse, shine serum and hair spray. Apply the root lifter just at the roots (shocking, I know), and everything else but the hair spray mid shaft to ends. By using the right products your hair will be healthier, shinier and more manageable. All meaning....Easier to style! Plus, your style will hold much better! Do not skip this step.
4. Take your dryer and rough dry (do not use a brush) your hair until it's about 80% dry. Please advise, if your hair gets frizzy, do not over rough dry. It will just make it harder to smooth the frizz. 80% dry may be too much for you!
5. If applies, style your bangs.*Please refer to my posts Blow Dryers: Blow Me Away! and Brushing Up On Hair Brush Basics to ensure your using the right tools!
6. Attach the nozzle to your blow dryer (this helps control frizz).
7. Start at the bottom of your hair. Leave a section (the size of the barrel of the brush) down. Clip the rest up. Grab your round brush and dryer and get to work! Make sure you dry each section 100% to ensure no frizz and lock in the curl on the ends. *Remember the smaller the barrel on the round brush the more curl you will achieve and the opposite for larger sizes.
8. Continue up the rest of your head using the same size sections.
9. Shoot your hair with cold air to really set your style. 
10. If desired, grab your teasing brush and tease your hair a little in areas you want more lift.
11. End with an aerosol hair spray for extra hold.

Practice makes perfect and perfection takes more than 5 minutes to achieve! When your hair looks good, you feel good. You'll be doing double takes in the mirror!

Sesame Street:Song: I Love My Hair

Flat Irons: Still Hot!

In the last handful of years super straight hair has been a huge trend. Guess what? It's not going anywhere! Straight and sleek hair is here to stay. Concerned with extra heat damage? Using the right products and tools can help protect your hair. Flat irons are not to be skimped on! Can your current one pass the test of not damaging your hair? Here's the latest and greatest for flat irons...

• Ceramic- Produces negative ions, diffuses heat and seals the hair cuticle for shiny, frizz-free locks.
• Ionic- Dry, damaged hair carries a positive ionic charge that prevents it from looking its healthiest. An ionic flat iron creates negative ions to neutralize your charged strands for shiny, smooth results.
• Infrared- This gentle heating method penetrates the hair shaft without causing damage. It helps balance ions and maintains temperature consistency to deliver smoother, frizz-free results.
• Nano- An advanced smoothing and styling technology infused into flat iron plates. Typically, Nano works with another technology such as Nano Silver or Nano Titanium.
• Silver- This technology eliminates bacteria on the iron plates and your hair, creating a germ-free environment with every use.
• Titanium- An innovative technology that straightens hair quickly, maintaining consistent heat levels to prevent hair damage.
• Tourmaline- A semi-precious gemstone that produces six times more negative ions than ceramic. It's often infused into ceramic plates to produce even straighter, shinier results.

Your hair type and length also plays into what iron will suit you best.

• Thick, Coarse, Curly- Set your iron temperature from 380 to 450 degrees. Above shoulders? Use 1 to 1.5 inch plates. Shoulder length? Use 1 to 2 inch plates. Below? Use 1.5 to 2 inch plates.
• Normal, Medium, Wavy- Set your iron temperature from 360 to 410 degrees. Above shoulders? Use 1 to 1.5 inch plates. Shoulder length? Use 1 to 2 inch plates. Below? Use 1.5 to 2 inch plates.
• Fine, Thin- Set your iron temperature below 360 degrees. Above shoulders? Use 1 to 1.5 inch plates. Shoulder length? Use 1 to 2 inch plates. Below? Use 1.5 to 2 inch plates.

Make sure to purchase a professional iron with temperature settings. It's important to use the proper temperature for your hair type to prevent heat damage and get the best styling results. Croc 2 Infared iron, Sedu Revolution Tourmaline Ionic Styling iron and Hai Convertable Ceramic iron are all awesome choices. Now you have all the flat iron knowledge you will need.  Check out Amazon.com and Folica.com to make your purchase.

Blow Dry Boot Camp: Sleek and Straight

Want to look like you just stepped out of the salon? Follow these steps and you will produce sleek and straight salon quality styled hair right in your own bathroom!

1. It all starts with a great shampoo and conditioner! Use a shampoo and conditioner that smooths and straightens. Unless your hair is dry or damaged. If so, use a type that will nourish your locks with what it's lacking.
2. Towel dry your hair well.
3. Grab your styling products girls! You will need a straightening product and shine serum. In addition, if your hair is curly or wavy use a product to fight humidity. Dry or damaged? Use a leave in conditioner. By doing this your hair will be healthier, shinier and more manageable. All meaning....Easier to style!
4. Take your dryer and rough dry (do not use a brush) your hair until it's about 80% dry. Please advise, if your hair gets frizzy, do not over rough dry. It will just make it harder to smooth the frizz. 80% dry may be too much for you!
5. If applies, style your bangs.*Please refer to my posts Blow Dryers: Blow Me Away! and Brushing Up On Hair Brush Basics to ensure your using the right tools!
6. Attach your nozzle to your blowdryer (this helps control frizz).
7. Start at the bottom of your hair. Leave a section (the size of the barrel of the brush) down. Clip the rest up. Grab your brush and dryer and get to work! *You can use a round brush for more volume or a paddle brush for less.
8. Continue up the rest of your head using the same size sections. Make sure your hair is 100% dry to ensure no frizz and prep for the flat iron.
9. Use a flat iron to smooth out any frizz or kinks. If hair still has a good amount of bend or wave, start over at step four. This time use a flat iron instead of a brush and dryer.
10. Finish your style with more product. Use a shine serum or pomade and apply to the mid shaft and ends of hair. Avoid applying products directly to roots on dry hair. If your hair is fine, skip this step.

Remember practice makes perfect and perfection takes more than 5 minutes to achieve! When your hair looks good, you feel good. Don't be surprised if there is an extra bounce in your step!

Brushing Up On Hair Brush Basics

Options, options, options! Make sure you opt for the right brush to style and groom your hair! It makes a huge difference in the styling results you will get. From sleek and straight to bouncy and voluminous there is a right brush every style you desire. Are you using the right one?


• Paddle Brushes

Great for detangling and your basic brushing needs, for all hair types. The cushion prevents breakage by gliding through your hair easily. Can be used on wet or dry hair. Small paddle brushes work well on blow drying bangs.


• Cushion Brushes

Similar to a paddle brush but best used on dry hair. Using this brush will stimulate blood circulation to the scalp (promoting hair growth), distributing your hair's natural oil through the mid shaft and ends leaving your hair healthier and shinier. Everyone should own this kind of brush, it's a must!

• Vent Brushes

Can be used to distribute product and a basic blow dry. The vents add volume and some shape in the hair without the hair looking super styled. Great for a quick blow dry. Every man should own one, make sure yours does.

• Ceramic Round Brushes

Ceramic brushes are awesome for lots of volume and movement in the hair with curl on the ends. Can be used on all hair types. Always use a ceramic brush vs. a metal one. The ceramic protects your hair from heat damage because the brush heats up evenly. Also, can actually speed up the blow dry process because of this.
The nylon bristles allows for some tension on the hair to smooth out and reduce frizz. The size of the barrel matters! The smaller the size of the barrel the more curl you will get and opposite for larger sizes. Definitely take that into consideration.

• Boar Bristle Round Brushes

If your hair is wavy or curly and you want a straight style, use this type of brush. The boar bristles will dry your hair with the most tension. Resulting in smooth and sleek locks. The longer your hair the larger the barrel you should be using and vice verse.

• Teasing Brush

Used to back comb the hair when wanting to add extra volume and lift to all styles. Use on dry hair only.

Using the right brush will give you the style you want with minimal effort. Doesn't sound so bad, now does it? Amazon.com, Folica.com, Sephora.com and has large selections of brushes. You can also visit your local beauty supply store if you don't want to shop online. Some salons carry brushes as well. Now there is no excuse on not having the right tools to blow dry your hair!

Make sure you read my post Blow Dryers: Blow Me Away!

Blow Dryers: Blow Me Away!

Ladies, a good blow dryer is an essential! No lie! Who wants to break a sweat just from drying your hair? Not me! A quality dryer will dry your hair fast with the least amount of frizz.
Even after working in the beauty industry for almost 2 handful of years, purchasing a blow dryer is overwhelming. From brands, prices, to technology and etc. the choices for blow dryers available are countless. So here's the what's what in blow dryer trends...

• Wattage

The higher the wattage the more powerful the dryer is. The more powerful the dryer is the faster your hair will dry. Always opt for the highest wattage, especially if you have thick and/or curly hair. Morning minutes before having to be somewhere  is valuable time not to be wasted blow drying!

• Technology

Tourmaline, ceramic, ionic...What's it mean?

Tourmaline is a material used, a semi precious gemstone. Tourmaline generators is the best on the market. It uses a combination of ionic and infared technology. Tourmaline has great benefits for the hair. It releases negative ions in the while drying. Those negative ions helps seal the cuticle with your hair's natural moisture, leaving the hair silkier and shinier. Also, allowing hair to dry faster by breaking the water molecules into smaller sizes leading to evaporation sooner.

Ceramic, also a material used. The benefits of a ceramic dryer is the heater gives off a stronger and more even heat which will help protect your hair from heat damage.

Ionic is a technology emits negative ions which neutralize the positive charge in dry or damaged hair. Ionic dryers can actually improve hair health and create frizz-free, silky, shiny locks. They lock in moisture, help reduce static and work best for delivering super straight, sleek looks. They latest technology in dryers offer a switch that lets you choose the level of ion output or turn the ions on for smoothing or off for volumizing.

A dryer using all technologies is your best choice and available. The Sedu Revolution Pro Tourmaline Ionic 4000i Hair Dryer is priced at $160 and is worth it. The blow dryer is avalible at Neimanmarcus.com. The Sedu dryer has a 2 year warrenty (1 year is standard) and Neiman Marcus has a great return policy. For the month of October the code for free shipping is NMOCT, also avaliable at Folica.com.

• Lightweight

Self explanatory, personal preference. I prefer to get a work out in the gym, not drying hair. Simple as that.

• Attachments

The nozzle attachment gives a direct stream of heat to the area being dried. Resulting in less frizz.

A diffuser attachment is used for styling curly or wavy hair. It dries curls with heat only. With no stream of direct air, curls will be less frizzy and bouncier.

• Cool Shot Button

Hair's style memory when heated is less. Using the cool shot button really sets the style for longer lasting results.

Folica.com is a great website to purchase an amazing hair dryer. Possibly, your new best friend. They have all types of dryers from different price points and a 30 day return policy. Plus free shipping on all orders over $50. For the month of October get 25% off, plus free shipping on orders over $50 code MISSYOU25. Don't be shy on investing some cash into a quality dryer. Your hair and time is worth it!

Make sure you read my post Brush Up On Hair Brush Basics!!

Bangs: To Get Banged or Not To Get Banged

Is that your question? First things first...Throw all trends out the window for the moment. Bangs can be trendy and cute but also, can be really B.A.D. if not right for you.

Here are the reasons you should not get banged:

• If you have any strong cowlicks along your hairline near your forehead. Bangs are going to emphasize them, not hide them.
• If you have won't take the 5 minutes to style them properly. Bangs need daily T.L.C.!

Still wanting to get banged? Determine your face shape and I'll help guide you in the right direction...

Oval Face
Lucky girl! You can just pull off any bang style that suits your style of hair best! Woo hoo!

Oblong Face
Avoid side swept bangs because they will only make your face look longer. Other than that, go to town!

Round Face
A sleek side swept or straight across squared bangs would compliment you best. Avoid adding volume.

Square Face
You don't want to shorten your face with thick straight across bangs, longer wispy bangs showing most of your face will elongate your features.

Heart Shaped Face
Angled bangs, short and choppy or simple straight across bangs will all hide the fullness in your forehead and make balance your features.

 


Nicole Richie's bangs are top celebrity requested for 2010.

  


Zooey Deschanel comes close in second.

 Puh-lease put down the scissors and have a professional do it for you! The smallest amount off your bangs makes a HUGE difference. Save yourself the frustration and tears!
Not including side swept bangs, you will need to trim them every few weeks. A lot of stylists will give their clients complimentary bang trims and only takes 15 minutes maximum. So what are you waiting for? Make your appointment already and get banged!

Think Pink: Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast cancer stands second in line for the most common cancer found in women, right behind skin cancer. Cancer is most treatable in the beginning stages. Being self aware of changes in your breasts and starting your early detection plan can save your life! You can start by doing self breast examinations. But how and what to look for?

• In the Shower

Fingers flat, move gently over every part of each breast. Use your right hand to examine the left breast, left hand for the right breast. Check for any lump, hard knot, or thickening. Carefully observe any changes in your breasts.

• Before a Mirror

Inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.
Look for any changes in the contour of each breast, a swelling, a dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Then rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women's breasts do.

• Lying Down

Place a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head. With the fingers of your left hand flat, press your right breast gently in small circular motions, moving vertically or in a circular pattern covering the entire breast.
Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.

Common signs & symptoms of breast cancer include:

• A change in how the breast or nipple feels
  You may experience nipple tenderness or notice a lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area.
• A change in how the breast or nipple looks
  This could mean a change in the size or shape of the breast or a nipple that is turned slightly inward. In addition, the skin of the breast, areola or nipple may appear scaly, red or swollen or may have ridges or pitting that resembles the skin of an orange.
• Nipple discharge

Knowing your family history and talking with your Dr. can help you know your risk for breast cancer. If you are at high risks your Dr. can recommend proper screening tests. Get a clinical breast exam every 3 years starting at 20, and at age 40 get a mammogram once a year.

The fight to battle breast cancer continues! Want to help? From buying a cosmetic product to making a donation, everything counts! Here are some suggestions:

• Aveda Hand Relief $21, $4 goes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This is my all time favorite hand cream! It can last through 5 hand washes. Perfect for fall and winter!
• Essie Pink Ribbon Polish $8, 30% off all sales will go to the Libby Rose Foundation. A light pink shimmery nail polish that will help you look more polished!
• Donate Now at Addicted to All Things Pretty's blog.

My grandmother was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer late in the game of life. Because of her age she had a mastectomy, removing her right breast. The surgery was successful. She survived breast cancer. I am thankful and lucky my risk doesn't increase because she was in her 80's when diagnosed. Please do your part. Don't forget to sport your pink ribbons daily to bring awareness!

In loving memory of my grandmother.

Brazilian Blowout: All The Rage or All The Raged?

Shiny, frizz-free, smooth, healthy hair that doesn't take a long time to style sounds like every girls want for their locks, right? That's exactly what the Brazilian Blowout does. It's a miracle treatment for hair. Ladies everywhere are raving about the results after having the service done. Life changing for some, I'm sure. Too good to be true? It just might be.
On Oct. 1st Good Morning America did a special focusing in on what chemicals are found in the Brazilian Blowout. The company claims to be formaldehyde free. But are they really?
Formaldehyde exposure can actually compromise your health. If inhaled it can cause headaches, a burning sensation in the throat, and difficulty breathing, Their are actual studies done that link formaldehyde exposure and asthma. It's a trigger for some. On a much more serious note, it can cause cancer. Yes, cancer!

Good Morning America sent two samples of Brazilian Blowout products from a salon in Oregon to a chemist to test for toxicity. The results showed very high levels of formaldehyde. The company Brazilian Blowout states that the solutions tested have not been proven to be theirs because it didn't come from them directly and they are going to investigate further into the allegations.
I'm sure we will be hearing from them soon. Until then salons should not offer this service and you shouldn't get it done. Save your money and your health. That's what my salon and I are going to do anyways! I hope you think twice about it before you book your next appointment.

Halloweenie Time!

Happy October 1st! It's that time of year again...Holiday season! Most big retail corporations like to fast forward to December, as if it was Christmas already. Not giving the proper recognition to Halloween or Thanksgiving. In honor of the first day of the month hosting Halloween, let's focus on the biggest fashion trend on the 31st...Costumes!
Movies throughout the year influence the most popular trends. Movie guru, Tim Burton and Halloween go hand and hand. It's no surprise that his movie Alice in Wonderland is one of them for 2010. Wondering which wonderland character suits you best? Are you feeling mad as a hatter? Catch yourself day dreaming of a wonderland? Or would you prefer a more tyrant role? Here are some super cute costumes that will tickle your fancy! Avaliable at Elegavenue.com or Buycostumes.com.

Whichever fantasy role you would like to play, have fun with it! Halloween is a perfect time to make these characters your own and possibly fulfill a childhood dream. Or is that just me? With only 30 days to go, the countdown begins. Tick tock, tick tock...

 Search Amazon.com for costumes  for some more great ideas!