The Favorite Products of a Beauty Expert: Casey from Beauty 101

Nothing to Disclose

1. Bumble and Bumble “Tonic”: Think of this as a primer for your hair. I love to use it before other styling products since it helps to even out porosity and makes sure that everything else is absorbed. It can also be used as a detangler or to freshen up an already existing blow dry!

2. Moroccanoil Treatment: Talk about a multi-tasking product! This oil can be mixed into your conditioner to add extra smoothing properties but it can also be used on wet hair to keep frizz at bay AND after your hair is dry to smooth everything out! On rushed mornings I love using a product that can literally do it all because it takes all the guesswork out of my routine.

3. Klorane Dry Shampoo: Any rushed girl knows the amazing power of dry shampoo so I’m sure I don’t need to explain this one to you. Don’t have time to wash your hair? Just spray this on your roots, give it 30 seconds to absorb (or longer if you’re really pushing your limits), and then comb through to release the chalky deposit you may experience.

4. Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner: What is the fastest way to make sure your hair looks like a rockstar? Give it a deep conditioning treatment! In 3 minutes you’ll be on your way to shiny, soft, manageable hair.

5. Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam: While this one doesn’t technically help me on a rushed morning I felt like I needed to include it in my list because you really can’t go wrong when you use it. This styling foam provides slight hold, slight volume, and is just a good overall styling product that you don’t need to think about very much. It will always work!

6. Bumble and Bumble “Spray De Mode” Hairspray: In keeping with the “multi tasking” theme I absolutely love this product because it can act as a hairspray and as a heat protecting spray for when I’m using my curling iron in the morning. It helps my curls stay all day without getting crunchy.

7. Bumble and Bumble “Texture” Cream: Have you ever woken up only to realize that your hair wasn’t going to cooperate no matter how much time you had to get ready? I scrunch this cream into my hair to give it that polished “I just woke up” look.



Casey is a 20-something hairstylist, makeup artist, and beauty blogger living in New York City with her husband and two dogs. She can be found rambling about all things beauty over at Beauty 101. Casey can also be contacted for hair appointments via email: beauty101blog@gmail.com

1

Long Lasting Curls: A Hair Curling Tutorial and ISO Hair Wand Review

Product Sent for Review

A few days ago, when I posted about how I do my eyebrows, PinkPirate asked how I had curled my hair. I've had pictures taken for a review and tutorial for a while, I just needed to finally get going and put the post together!

There are two ways that I curl my hair. The first is detailed in my Easy Beachy Curls Tutorial. I prep my hair, curl it all over with my BeachWaver. I love the BeachWaver because I can adjust the temperature and the auto-curl button is very easy. The BeachWaver waves last for days and need minimal touch up. But, the curls can be a bit too tight (I wish the barrel was about 1/2 inch bigger), so they look best as next day hair. In addition, due to the size of the curls, I can't really use the BeachWaver for touchup. I need a bigger curl for the look I want.

Recently, the nice people from ISO Beauty sent me their 5 Piece Curling Iron Set to review. Since it arrived at my house, I've been in love with this product! It's basically a clipless curling iron, execept that it has 5 different wands to use with it! I've been using the wand for curling all over my head and for occasional touch ups.

The curling wand set comes with 5 different interchangeable wands, which I love! They are Tourmaline and once changed out on the barrel they feel very stable, not like it was added on. I love the option of changing to a different size, definitely a space and time saver.

Sizes included:
32 mm
25 mm
19 mm
18-25 mm
9-18 mm


In order to change out the wand, you need to press the buttons on the top and bottom at the same time and pull. It's not hard, but it isn't exactly easy either. I haven't tried this when the wand is hot, but it's hard enough when it is cool that I really wouldn't recommend doing it until everything has cooled off. So, pick a size for the day and stick with it! I've mostly been using the 32 mm and 25 mm sizes.

The controls are very easy to use. Turn it on, adjust the temp as needed. I'm usually about 400 degrees.

Here's a quick peek at the products I use for long lasting curls. I've been really loving the hold from about an egg size amount of Italy Hair Fashion's mousse. I also add in a few sprays of the L'Oreal Color Vibrancy Dual Protect Spray (adds shine and heat protection).

After I'm done curling, a little spritz of Elnett is all I need. (And yes, somehow that little bit of Elnett does make a big difference, without it my hair is straight faster.) This is my current favorite trio of products, whether I'm using my BeachWaver or the clipless curling iron.

So, it is really easy to use the curling wand. I hold it upside down, just grab some hair, curl it around and hold for about 10 seconds or so, then release. You have a lot of control over the curls since you're the one wrapping your hair and you pick which rod to use (I think this is the 32 mm size pictured). I generally like bigger curls, hence the larger rods and bigger chunks of hair. Make sure you wear the heat protection glove!

In these pictures, on the left I have 1 day old hair that was curled with the BeachWaver and the front parts were touched up with the clipless curling iron (really, those are the main curls that you see, they are from the 25 mm rod). On the right I've done more random sections with the 32 mm rod, so things are a bit more natural and casual.



ISO Beauty
Product Sent for Review

15

Ask a Beauty Blogger: I'm Pregnant, Can I Cut My Hair?

Nothing to Disclose

I've been receiving a huge number of questions about hair care while pregnant. I get them in my inbox, over twitter, in blog post comments... This is the only one that was actually submitted to the Ask a Beauty Blogger question form, but I thought it was a good time to address this question and a few other pregnancy hair care questions (note that I'm not even going to try to answer that hair dye and pregnancy question that is always so controversial. I leave that up to you, your OB and your hair stylist).

First, to answer Sushmita's actual question, I pulled in the big guns. Meaning, my hair stylist from California, the woman I miss dearly (my hair stylist here in Michigan is good, but she just isn't Shannon), and if I could afford it I would really, truly fly to California every 6 weeks to see Shannon. She is that nice of a person and that good. Shannon Ely works at Salon TM2 in Irvine, if you go and see her tell her I say hi!

Here's what Shannon had to say to Sushmita:

Of course you may cut and trim your hair throughout your entire pregnancy. I, personally, tell my pregnant clients that I won't do any drastic changes to their cuts at this time however because hormones make them want to change their look and then they typically are regretful. Soo... Wait for your hormones to get back to normal before you decide to try that pixie cut you've always wanted.

This is soooo true. I can't even tell you how many of my friends have chopped (and I mean chopped) and all of them regretted it. Everyone blamed it on hormones run amok.

What we haven't mentioned yet is that one of the reasons so many women want to cut their hair is that pregnancy hormones mess with your hair's normal growth cycle. (Read more about hair growth cycles in my Laser Hair Removal at Home post). Basically, everything gets stuck in Anagen (growth) phase without entering the Catagen/Involution phase. So, instead of losing the normal average of 100 hairs a day, things just... stick around.

Many pregnant women love this, they have very full hair with tons of volume. If you're like me, and you started with very thick hair, the increase in volume can make your hair much harder to style. I normally get my hair "thinned" (meaning my stylist will trim some out much higher to bring down the volume), and it was really hard to not increase the amount of thinning. It is best to continue what you normally do, because all of that extra hair will be coming out.

Once your hormones return to "normal", you can expect all of that hair stuck in Anagen will enter Catagen and will start shedding. Many women report seeing this sometime after giving birth. They'll start shedding a lot of hair, and it is such a dramatic increase over what they were losing while pregnant that they feel like they're going bald! You can see this shedding start at some point up to 6 months or so after delivery, and it can last for months or even up to a year. Note that because it is related to hormone levels, this can be altered quite a bit by nursing as well. Personally, I had my hair start shedding a little bit more about 4 months or so after delivery, but the big shedding didn't start until after my daughter finally weaned at 16 months. I only had about 2 months of heavy shedding (lucky me), but I lost about 40% of the volume of my hair, even I was feeling bald! (But, the result really was that I was back to where I started, still a lot of volume, just less than I had grown used to having.)

What can you do about the hair shedding? Not much. There are no magic serums, vitamins or hair growth products that can stop this process. NONE. This is hormonally driven. What you can affect is the over all health of your hair and any shedding that you would have from other reasons. You will see shedding if you have thyroid issues (so, if you have so much that it worries you go check with your doctor), for nutritional issues (a healthy diet and maybe even a multivitamin can help, use a prenatal if you're still nursing), and biotin has been shown to increase hair growth rate in studies. So, you can add a biotin supplement or make sure your multivitamin has at least 1 mg a day. Finally, make sure your hair is healthy and minimize breakage. So, heavy conditioning, avoid heat styling and still get trims to take care of split ends.




Do you have a question? Make sure you ask it! I'll address questions in my Ask a Beauty Blogger post series.

2

Transition from Day to Night: How Often Do You Change Your Hair?

StyleHaul just posted this video over on YouTube. For me, it brought up an interesting question. Do you transition your hair like this throughout the day? How often do you change it up? I will make occasional changes, but mostly for different events/times of day, such as going out for dinner. And usually not on the fly like this.

1

Pureology Colour Stylist Control Twist Review: A Little Goes a Long Way!

When I hear the words "liquid wax", the first thing that comes into my mind is Turtle Wax. Obviously something that you use to buff and shine the hood of your SUV isn't something you want remotely near your hair.

This is nothing like that.

Pureology's new Control twist is a "high hold liquid wax", which offers a bit of added hair control and somehow makes my hair look a lot more finished and professional looking in about 15 seconds.

This product comes in a pump, which is very convenient. It is white and feels mostly like lotion, though has a bit more "body" and stickiness. It has a floral/perfume scent, though I can't smell it once I've applied it to my hair.

I apply a small amount (size of a lima bean) to my hands, rub together and run through the ends of my hair. It adds definition and smooths things down, suddenly I look much more put together. It especially helps a lot when I've curled my hair in ways that a hair oil just can't. It doesn't make my hair sticky or weighed down.

I have a feeling that this little pump is going to last me a long time despite frequent use, but you can bet I'll be repurchasing!


Pureology

2

New Ways to Curl Your Hair With Sultra

Glamour made easy should be the motto of Sultra’s new hair styling tools. July 9th and 10th at the Chambers Hotel, Beach House PR hosted an event for the launch of Sultra’s new curling irons, blow dryers, and other fun products. I was lucky enough to attend and sample the tools. Stylist Morgan blew my hair out using the new Temptress blow dryer (said to launch in October) that has three main important features. First, the buttons on the dyer are higher so it is easier to control and manage while drying. Second, the blow dryer has ionic and infrared generators that emit ions to smooth frizzy hair and repair heat damage. Finally, the dryer decreases drying time - my favorite feature that is especially great for long and thick hair!

Morgan then used the Bombshell curling rod iron on my hair. The Bombshell comes in two sizes- 1” and 3/4'“, and creates smooth and voluptuous curls in no time. The Bombshell also features ceramic heater technology. I was amazed at how rapidly Morgan was able to curl my hair. The best part? No hairspray necessary! My curls lasted a long time and then evolved into loose waves. I have been using the Bombshell frequently and love the no fuss and efficient technique. My friends who have sampled the Bombshell love it too!

Sultra’s newest iron is the Bombshell Cone rod curling iron that creates tighter curls. Since the barrel on the cone is tapered, hair wraps easily with no clip necessary. One of the stylists mentioned that for a new look- he likes using the Oval because it can give the illusion of shorter hair. Long hair like mine wraps into tighter Marilyn Monroe-style curls when using the Bombshell Cone.

I have enjoyed sampling these irons with friends and family members and love the versatility of each iron. Sultra irons can give you anything from loose beach waves to romantic curls, and let’s be honest who doesn’t love to experiment? The irons also come with a complimentary pink glove to protect your hands from the heat while curling hair.

I also sampled their “hair mascaras,” which are literally colored mascaras- pink, blue, & purple, that you easily swipe/brush into hair. While they are not quite my style, they are very fun and wash out easily. I had some younger gals try them on and they make for the perfect brush-on highlights! So fun!

Finally, Sultra has color clip-in extensions that are easily styled. They come in a variety of colors like pink, purple, and blue cheetah. Again not necessarily my style, but they sure are fun! They are made with real human hair and very easy to clip in. Unlike some extensions I have tried, Sultra’s extensions have a flat clip making them easy to conceal.

I give a big thank you to Christine, Morgan and the other Sultra Stylists, and Lauren from BeachHouse PR for hosting this event. 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic readers- go try some Sultra products today. I promise you won’t regret it!



Sultra products are available online at Sultra, Nordstrom, and at Sephora.

This review comes from Mallory, the amazing 15 Minute Beauty NYC girl! She'll be covering events and reviewing spas and salons on occasion. As a student and a dancer she has an insane schedule. She definitely understands the need for a quick and streamlined beauty routine!

2

Perfect Wedding Hair: How to Create it at Home

The little birdie that is Nicholas Penna, Jr., (the Owner and Lead Stylist of SalonCapri in Newton and Dedham, MA) sent me an amazing email yesterday! I had to share these styles. They're perfect for a wedding, whether you're the bride, a bridesmaid or just a guest. Which one is your favorite?

• Evenly distribute your favorite volumizing mousse (Nick’s is Shu Uemura’s Ample Angora Volumizing Mousse) throughout damp locks.

• Blow-dry hair with a large, round, boar bristle brush for a voluminous finish.

• Using a 1.5-2” curling iron, curl the ends of your hair. Take two inch sections and keeping the iron vertical, wrap the sections around the wand in an upwards spiral until you reach just above your ears.
TIP: keep the iron on medium heat.

• Add a spritz of heat activated hair spray and hold the iron in place for about 20 seconds.

• Using a wide-tooth comb (or your fingers!), gently brush out the ends of your hair; this will get rid of the stickiness that hairspray can cause and also loosens up the curls.

• Next, part your hair down the middle.

• Take a two or three inch strand from both sides of your head, near the temple, twist lightly and pull behind your head.

• When the twists meet at the back of your head, begin to weave them around one another so as to create a “crown,” making sure each twist reaches its opposite side.

• Secure with bobby pins beneath the opposite twist’s origin.

• Finish the look with Shu Uemura’s Sheer Lacquer spray.

• Apply a shape paste or gel to towel-dried hair. Nick recommends L’Oreal Professionnel Artec Texturline Texture Paste to keep the twist in place and stop pieces from falling out as you begin to create the style.

• Blow-dry hair with a large, round, boar bristle brush for a voluminous finish.

• Part your hair in the middle. Take the layers at the crown and top of your head and tease them by combing against the grain with a fine tooth comb. Add hairspray for more lift and volume (try L’Oreal Professionnel Texture Expert Infinium Spray).

• On either side of the part, grab about three inches of your hair and begin twisting it back, one side at a time.

• As you twist your hair, mimic the technique you would use for a French braid and grab pieces of hair as you continue to twist. Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be perfect, the look you’re going for is loose and whimsical.

• Once your twists meet at the nape of your neck, tie the ends in a knot and spritz with hairspray.

• Take the loose ends and twist them so as to create a messy bun, tucking the remaining ends underneath the heap and into the side twists.

• Secure with bobby pins and more hairspray.

• Evenly distribute your favorite volumizing mousse (Nick’s is Shu Uemura’s Ample Angora Volumizing Mousse) throughout damp locks.

• Blow-dry hair with a large, round, boar bristle brush for a voluminous finish.

• Begin a French braid on either side of the natural part, just above your ears.

• Begin with small portions of hair, and as the braid begins to form, start incorporating generous sections from beneath the braid.

• Pin both braids at the back of your head, making sure to tuck one into the other so it appears a continuous crown around your head.

• Gently pull out a few wisps of hair around your face to soften the look.

• Finish with Shu Uemura Sheer Lacquer.

Nicholas Penna, Jr., is the Owner and Lead Stylist of SalonCapri in Newton and Dedham, MA. Nick has received international recognition with awards from Vidal Sassoon (for “Excellence in New Design.”) and the Guillaume Award in Berlin, Germany. Nick is routinely called on her expert hair tips and tricks and his advice has been featured in countless beauty magazines. He regularly styles hair for photo shoots and high-profile events such as New York City Fashion Week.

SalonCapri to be one of only 12 salons in the country to house the L’Oreal Professionnel Haircolor Center on premise. SalonCapri is also one of three L’Oreal expert teaching centers in the country, along with Fred Segal Beauty in Santa Monica, CA and L’Oreal’s own headquarters in New York’s SoHo neighborhood.

SalonCapri

0

Dear David: What's the Deal With Sulfates?

So, for years I've heard that sulfates are something to avoid in hair care and skin care products. I know it can cause irritation and dryness for skin, but what do they do to the hair?
Thanks!
-Christine (Yes, me! On the phone with David)

Sulfates are primarily used for creating a more lathering effect in your hair products. They do help to clean the hair, but as they remove product build up, they take everything out of the hair like natural oils. Your hair will definitely feel more dry when you just shampoo it, you need to add some things (eg- the benefits of those natural oils) back into the hair with conditioner.

Wait, I know the lather doesn't really help us get any cleaner, but we all just love the lather!
-Christine

Without the lather you really feel like you're not getting the cleaning effect. But, often you are really getting clean. That's the whole thing behind those **** products (product name removed to protect the innocent). I don't feel like my hair gets clean with them. It tried it and I felt like something was wrong. I stopped using them.

As you use them, sulfates will strip your hair and can affect your scalp, leaving it dry. The weather here (David is in Florida) can affect the scalp a lot as the humidity shifts. Your scalp gets dry and itchy, you scratch and flake. As you scratch you're harming the surface of your scalp, opening it up. You have areas that aren't quite healthy, they're irritated and harmed. Add on some products, maybe alcohol based styling products for example, then it irritates the scalp further and the whole thing gets even worse. It's a vicious cycle, setting you up for an unhealthy and irritated scalp.

Some people say there isn't much effect from what is in your shampoo, but think about this... There are so many things going into your shampoo. If you can eliminate some of those harsher chemicals without an issue, then it's better.

David L Hensley is the Chief Creative Officer, Head Stylist and basically hair guru for Laid Brand Hair Care, one of my newest obsessions. David has worked in both Los Angeles and Florida and works with both celebs and us normal people. He has a great understanding of hair and how to work with hair to create great looks!

David has agreed to help with a series of posts answering your hair care and styling questions. Please let me know if you have questions you'd love to see addressed!

Laid Brand Hair Care
David L Hensley

Image © Federico Marsicano | Dreamstime.com

1

How to Flat Iron Your Hair: Tips From Joico on Super Smooth Hair

I had to share this video with Joico International Creative Director Damien Carney. He is a tad... enthusiastic, and yes, he obviously discusses the Joico products. But, I liked his tips on getting your hair completely straight and super shiny with a flat iron. I never thought of sectioning my hair that way and he uses a lot more heat protectant spray than I use. He has pretty amazing results! What do you think?




Joico

5

Laid Brand Shady Girl Shampoo and Conditioner Review: Do Pheromones Make a Difference?

Last week I had my hair cut and colored. As always, after paying that much money for hair color, I left the salon swearing that I'd do everything in my power to help my color last as long as possible and to keep my hair as healthy as possible. Which means that I immediately swapped out the shampoo and conditioner in my shower for this new duo from Laid Brand, Shady Girl.

First, this duo does everything that a good product for color treated hair should. It's sulfate free and gentle, so it won't strip the expensive color right out. They've gone the extra steps of adding some SPF to the shampoo (I'm forever hiding my hair from the sun all summer long!) and there are coconut oil, avocado, and olive oil to help hydrate your hair and keep it healthy.

The products are pretty concentrated, so a little does go quite a long way. They are pretty thick, and I've found that my ADHD tendencies mean I don't have the patience to deal with their pumps and I just use the pump straws like dipping sticks to help me get the product out. (They do come out of the pumps, I just think they're pretty thick and I am a highly impatient shower person.) I found that the shampoo has a great lather, especially when you take into account the lack of sulfates. The conditioner did a great job of making my hair feel amazing, I swear every time I rinse it out my hair just feels healthier. Both rinsed out really easily.

The real reason that I love both of these products is actually what happens outside of the shower. My hair has looked healthier and seems to be easier to style when I'm using these products! I actually tested this out by going back to my old stand-bys, Abba Pure Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner. I ended up throwing them away. Really. My hair is much more cooperative and shinier with the Laid Brand products, they'll be the ones featured on my next "Everyday Favorites" post!

And finally, what about those pheromones?

I've had a discussion about this brand with a few friends and family members, and it always centers around Laid Brand's niche, the little ingredient that sets it apart from other products. Those little chemicals that our noses smell and our brains interpret to help us feel a certain way or to be attracted to certain things. I heard a lot of skeptical remarks about whether they make a difference or could actually get you laid.

David L Hensley, Laid Brand CCO says, "The pheromones are really to make you more attractive to yourself. To make you feel more confident and feel empowerment. Having you feel your own energy and have that just radiating from you." Which makes sense, right? You aren't the skunk in Looney Tunes, Pepe le Pew had his scent to help him attract a woman. You really want to attract someone just by being yourself. "This confidence will help you attract a great person," David says.

So, are the pheromones overwhelming? I don't think so. I've been using the products for a while now, and to me they just smell like regular shampoo and conditioner. Note that there is Menthol as the carrier for the pheromone, so when I apply the conditioner there is a little tingly smell but it isn't overwhelming at all. (And no, it isn't like I've just used Vick's VapoRub!) They smell pretty similar to me, though there is the menthol tingle and a little bit more minty-ness to the conditioner. Otherwise they are both floral/fruity perfume scents that are pretty subtle and I can't smell either of them on my hair once I've rinsed them out.

Do I notice a difference with the pheromones? I do feel more confident in how I look. I can't say "yes, this effect is from the pheromones" for sure. Because you know what? I think some of that confidence come from just having my hair look good. Which these products definitely help with. Good hair or pheromones? I'm not sure I care what made me feel good about myself on a given day!





- None in the shampoo, Yes in the conditioner though they're in the middle of the ingredient list.


Laid Brand Hair Care

0

Angelo David Volumizing Spray Review: A Volumizer to Use With Caution

Yes, big hair is kinda in. Teasing combs are everywhere, there are tips all over Pinterest for giving yourself a blowout with volume and I'm not even going to mention Adele. A lot of those methods work, but they can be pretty time consuming. So, here's the perfect spray to quickly add lots of volume to your hair.

A light spray is really all you need to freshly washed hair. Apply to your roots and then a little bit down the hair shaft, only where you want volume. Then just blow dry and style as usual! The spray seems to be activated by the heat of your blow dryer. The result is added volume, but you can't tell there is any product in your hair at all. It feels just as soft and touchable as before, but the volume only took about 10 seconds to add.

When I say a light spray is all you need, I really mean light. I over did it one day (and yes, I had gone to get my hair cut the day before and they did debulk my hair a bit, so it tends to get more volume after it stops really weighing itself down). My hair was huge. Seriously, it was amazing to see how much volume was created by only using this product, there was no backcombing needed.

I've also noticed that this product is great to use if you plan to go more than 1 day on a shampoo (which really, you should consider doing just for the health of your hair). I can add a little dry shampoo, wait a few minutes, and then instead of shaking my hair all around to get rid of any whiteness, I flip my head over and hit it with a minute or two of heat from my blow dryer. Once things have warmed up I then cool it down quickly with the "cool" setting, and that's it! This little trick resets the Volumizing Spray, and my volume is restored. No more flat 2nd day hair! This is definitely more volume that lasts longer than with just dry shampoo alone.


The spray is available from Angelo David for $18.50. For every bottle sold, $1.00 will be donated to the Lupus Foundation of America

Angelo David Volumizing Spray

4

Prive's Shining Weightless Amplifier: A Mousse-Like Product With Hold and Shine and Yes, A Little Volume

If someone told you that 1 product could make your hair shiny, have added volume and help hold your style, you'd obviously want it, wouldn't you?

Well, of course you would!

Privé, the same people who made the best smelling shampoo and conditioner ever, recently sent me this really cool product to try out. It's kind of a styling gel, kind of like a mousse....

Watch this little video and you'll see why I'm a tad confuddled.


So, yeah. It foams up like a mousse. It quickly becomes more like a sticky/wet serum gel thing, making it really easy to spread in your hair and distribute evenly. A quick blow dry and a little styling.... I can't tell that it is there. It does add a little shine, though not a ton (we don't want to look like our hair is oily after all), it really helps hold any styling into place, and it doesn't weigh anything down. I didn't notice a lot of extra volume, but I did notice that it wasn't making things flatter, so that helps. Best of all, I couldn't really tell that it is there, meaning I wasn't crunchy. It smells a bit herbally, but I can't smell it once my hair is dry either.

I've been reaching for it now on days that I use my BeachWaver, and as a result I have curls that hold all day but do become pretty wavy/curl things about mid-day. They're still there the next day too.

Definitely worth checking out.

Privé Hair Products

0

Combating Winter: Preventing the Winter Hair Freeze with Nicholas Penna, Jr.

Today's tips for your hair come from Nicholas Penna, Jr., from Salon Capri in Newton and Dedham, MA.

1. Get Rich Quick. No, not your wallet—your shampoo. Pick up a moisture rich shampoo and conditioner for the winter months, preferably one with vitamins and oils. Nick suggests L’Oreal Professionnel’s Serie Expert Liss Ultime shampoo and conditioner. “It’s good to change up the product you use every few months so your hair doesn’t build up immunity to the ingredients,” Nick points out.

2. Be Exotic. “One of the hottest new trends is incorporating Argan oil into your beauty routine,” reports Nick. Argan oil contains fatty acids, Vitamin E and antioxidants that restore your hair’s natural luster without a greasy shine. Nick recommends using the oil like a serum. “Use about a dime sized amount and comb it evenly through damp hair,” says Nick. Or, look for a conditioning treatment that contains Argan oil like Shu Uemura’s Silk Bloom Restorative Treatment.

3. DIY. If you want a more wallet friendly way to add some essential nutrients to your ‘do, try adding a nickel sized amount of honey or olive oil to your daily conditioner. Nick’s tips to creating your own spa night at home are to soak a hand towel in hot water and let it steam with you in the shower. Massage your strands with the conditioning olive oil treatment and let it rest. Wring out the hot towel and wrap it tightly around your head and relax for 30 minutes. Invite some friends over and you’ve got yourself a spa night!

4. Go All the Way. While blow drying and using hot tools definitely dries up your hair, it is somewhat unavoidable during the cold months. “If you’re going to blow dry, always use a thermal spray or serum that will protect your hair,” urges Nick. Try L’Oreal Professionnel Serie Expert Absolut Repair Cellular Thermo Spray. Moreover, Nick insists you go big or go home when blow drying. “Blow drying your hair half way will only create frizz and damage. If you spend the extra 5 minutes using a round brush to blow your hair out to a smooth finish, it makes all the difference,” he says.

5. Avoid the Freeze. “Never go outside with wet hair,” says Penna. Wet hair and even damp hair can easily freeze once temperatures drop into the 30s, and frozen strands mean split ends. “If you have to run outside, be sure to work a quick squeeze of serum in your hair before tucking your hair beneath a hood or hat.” Don’t be discouraged by hat hair—the serum will keep your hair smooth and moisturized, so you won’t have to worry about frizz or flatness.

6. Nourish from the Inside Out. Be sure to indulge in the season’s offerings—proteins, fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and essential oils that help keep your hair healthy from the inside out. “Believe it or not, eating balanced foods will improve your hair’s natural shine, bounce and body! Many of winter’s seasonal goods, like dark leafy vegetables, beans and carrots provide the exact nutrients to promote shiny, silky hair.”

Nicholas Penna, Jr., is the Owner and Lead Stylist of SalonCapri in Newton and Dedham, MA. Nick has received international recognition with awards from Vidal Sassoon (for “Excellence in New Design.”) and the Guillaume Award in Berlin, Germany. Nick is routinely called on her expert hair tips and tricks and his advice has been featured in countless beauty magazines. He regularly styles hair for photo shoots and high-profile events such as New York City Fashion Week.

SalonCapri to be one of only 12 salons in the country to house the L’Oreal Professionnel Haircolor Center on premise. SalonCapri is also one of three L’Oreal expert teaching centers in the country, along with Fred Segal Beauty in Santa Monica, CA and L’Oreal’s own headquarters in New York’s SoHo neighborhood.

SalonCapri

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Combating Winter: Bring a Touch of the Tropics to February

A few days ago I shared Liza Lentini's amazing winter tips for makeup. Today is a great tip for hair!


This is my favorite winter trick...put just a little bit of coconut oil in your hair. Coconut oil is a superb moisturizer, and its scent is an instant elixir, uplifting and evoking dreams of summer days of fun in the sun.

Organix makes some tasty coconut hair products, but I like to use essential coconut oils, which can be found all over your favorite city, or easily on Amazon.

Liza Lentini is the makeup artist behind Liza Bella Makeup Design. A former model, Liza also studied painting at the Massachusetts College of Art. Since 2003 she has been a popular bridal makeup artist in the NYC and Hamptons area.

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Combating Winter: How to Protect Your Hair This Winter

The weather in Boston isn't a joke. With the Nor'easters going through there, the long winter and all of the snow, they take hair protection seriously! I got a few tips on how to avoid damaging your hair in the winter weather from Alex Safar, master stylist and owner of Salon Acote in Boston.


Thick/Coarse Hair
Thick, coarse hair needs extra help during the winter season. Hydrating your strands will help make them more manageable and soft.

Alex recommends trying MoroccanOil Intense Hydrating Mask to repair dry hair in the cold.


Normal/Medium Hair
Thin to normal hair can easily dry out, especially in the winter. Shampooing your hair can strip the strands of its natural oils, so try washing less. To keep your hair looking great in between washes, Alex likes using Rene Furterer Naturia Dry Shampoo.


Color-Treated Hair
Protecting your hair color from the elements is so important during the winter months. Oribe Shampoo for Beautiful Color is a gentle cleanser and moisture treatment. Oribe Conditioner for Beautiful Color restores and extends your dye while protecting your hair from future damage.

Alex Safar, master stylist and owner of Salon Acote in Boston. Alex has acquired knowledge from his father Gaston as well as extensive education in creative color theory with Redken-New York and Goldwell-Boston, and modern cutting with Vidal Sassoon in Miami.

Salon Acote is located on Newbury Street in Boston’s prominent Back Bay. The salon offers comprehensive services, from the signature haircut and color services, to the Keratin hair treatment and Remy-made hair extensions. The salon also features a breathtaking outdoor terrace with cappuccino and wine bar. Salon Acote has participated in and hosted events during Boston Fashion Week and Fashion's Night Out Boston.

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