Keep Your Hair Color, Even Poolside – Summer Hair Care Tips

Nicole    Hair, Hair Styling, Hair Treatments, Summer, Sunscreen

Laying out by the beach and soaking in the sun’s rays poolside may be great for your tan (sunblock, people!), but not so great on your hair. We’ve got your head covered with these five tips from Kari Hill, master colorist at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon, to keep your colored hair looking fabulous all sun-shiny summer long.

1. UV Protection
When protecting your skin from the sun’s rays, don’t forget your hair as well. UV protection for color treated hair can be found in sprays, shampoos and conditioners. Spray UV protection on hair and slick back in a chic ponytail or bun. This will also protect your scalp.

2. Pre-pool Rinse
Before jumping into the pool, wet your color treated hair with bottled water to dilute the harsh chemicals in the chlorine. If at the beach, leave in conditioners with an SPF will protect from color fading and damage, as well as supplement as a nice treatment.

3. Rinse After You Dip
The pool’s chemicals and salt water can turn the most beautiful blonde highlights brassy or green in tone. Make sure to rinse your hair as soon as you exit the water and then follow up with a color-care shampoo and conditioner.

4. Deep Conditioning
The sun’s rays, chlorine, salt, etc. can damage the hair resulting in dull and dry hair color (especially hair that has been color treated). Consequently, after sun exposure, one should deep condition hair and leave on for at least 5 – 15 minutes before rinsing.

5. Ask the Professional
Be sure to ask your colorist for their tips and advice on what products they suggest. Lastly, there is always the cool, chic hat option.

About Kari Hill
Celebrity colorist Kari Hill is a Senior Hair Colorist at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in Los Angeles. Her career has encompassed 15 years of experience with many influential stylists in the industry including Serge Normant, Chris McMillan, Art Luna, Frederic Fekkai, Enzo Angileri, Andy LeCompte, and Sally Hershberger. Hill has been documented for her work on celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Charlize Theron, Renee Zellweger, Lisa Kudrow and Zooey Deschanel.

About Serge Normant at John Frieda
The Serge Normant at John Frieda salon is famed for their world-class staff, beautiful design and celebrity clientele. The beautiful LA location, located at 8440 Melrose Place in West Hollywood, CA offers renowned services, experienced stylists and accomplished colorists in a chic yet comfortable atmosphere. Serge Normant is undeniably one of the leading hairstylists in the fashion industry today, with a resume boasting regular bookings for covers of Harper’s Bazaar, W, Allure and Vogue. Visit www.sergenormantjohnfrieda.com for more information.

What do you think of these tips? What do you do to keep your color during the summer months? Let me know!

Trendy Summer Hairstyles – Andrew Dale’s Tips for Great Summer Hair

Nicole    Hair, Hair Styling, Summer

Looking for a new summer hairstyle?  It’s not too late!  You, too, can get Kim Kardashian’s Playful Ponytail or Selena Gomez’s Side Braid before the summer is over.  Check out the great tips from UNITE Hair Care below:

According to UNITE Hair Care Founder and Stylist, Andrew Dale, these three looks have become increasingly popular because women are always looking for chic hairstyles that look natural and are easy to do.   All products mentioned are available at unitehair.com.

Tousled Beach Waves: “Starting on damp hair, spritz a detangler throughout strands from root to tip. Look for a detangling spray that will nourish and protect hair from UV rays and damage from heat-styling tools. Try, UNITE 7 Seconds ($26.25) and allow hair to air-dry. Next, create volume and texture that will produce the ‘tousled’ and ‘undone’ look, by using a volumizing product that will not add weight to hair, try UNITE Expanda Dust ($26.25). This translucent powder will dissipate into hair and thicken it, giving body all over. Using a 2 inch curling iron, take random sections and curl alternating from front to back, for a piece-y look. Finish off by using hands to separate the curls so they’re slightly undone, and spray with UNITE Tricky Lite ($31) that will give hold and shine.”

Playful Ponytail: “I love turning up the volume on a basic look like the ponytail because it’s so simple but makes such an impact. To get the look, spray damp hair all over with UNITE’s Boosta Spray ($26.25) that builds overall volume but without residue. Next, blow out hair using a round brush that will continue to build the volume. Once hair is dry, use hands to pull hair up into a ponytail (a brush will only flatten the volume you created), aligning it with the tip of your ears and securing with an elastic band. Smooth any flyaways with the UNITE Go365 Hairspray ($31) that offers 3-in-1 levels of hold.”

Side Braid: “This look is a great alternative to wearing hair up for those who have long hair. The braid needs some grip so it doesn’t slip out and come undone. To do this, simply use some of UNITE’s Second Day ($25) to dry hair, which will give a ‘worn’ look while delivering hold for the braid. Next, using fingers, pull hair loosely to the side and separate into three sections. Braid off to the bottom and securing with an elastic band.”

What do you think of these looks?  What is your go-to summer style?  Let me know in the comments.

How to Pack for Summer Travel – Travel Tips from Christina Luhur

Nicole    Fashion, Shopping, Style, Summer

Summer days are flying by, which means that we have fewer weekend getaways on our calendars.  Personally, I have been planning a few days of trips to take with the boyfriend, but since he may be starting a new job shortly, my plans are in limbo.

Rushing to fit in travel arrangements and packing sometimes can’t be avoided, but Christina (Chris) Luhur, founder of e-retailer Scarpasa.com, is here to offer advice on how to pack most efficiently (and fashionably) for sunny destinations.  This advice is great for people, like myself, who procrastinate packing and then make big lists of tons of stuff to take.  Check out Christina’s tips below:

1. Opt for quick-change friendly separates. We know it’s warm out, but here layers are unmatched: A camisole underneath your blouse, a stretchy tube which you transforms into a sexy skirt, or a mini dress worn tucked in as a shirt and pulled out for after-hours.
2. Stick to basics, particularly if you’re traveling. Consider your Friday outfit an extension of your suitcase, which means packing on layers which you’ll be bound to wear once you arrive.
3. Choose a versatile shoe. By opting for a pair of gentle heels, you’ll be comfortable, yet able to glam up when the quitting bell sounds.  For example, all of the shoes on Scarpasa.com are hand selected by Chris for comfort, and are under 3” in heel height. Ranging from sandals to boots, flats to wedges, Scarpasa.com curates an international collection of the hottest wearable footwear from independent designers.

What do you think of Chris’s tips?  How do you pack for summer trips?

Let me know!

Sunburn? Bug Bites? No more! – Summer Beauty Survival Handbook by O Magazine

Nicole    Hair Styling, Skincare, Summer

August is the peak of the summer season, and it’s also the height of summer’s beauty dilemmas – beg bites, TOO much sun, and frizzy hair! For every beauty problem – including the worst-case scenarios – O Magazine has the solution.

Check out the below tips and enjoy the hot weather while it lasts!

Minimize the Aftermath of Sunburns

• Pop two aspirin, which inhibits the prostaglandin release that can increase redness.
• Take a cool bath or shower.  A sunburn increases blood flow to your skin; cold water reduces it.
• Slather the affected areas with an aloe gel, but be careful to avoid products that contain alcohol, which can dry skin and increase peeling.
• Solemnly swear to always apply sunscreen (and reapply every two hours!) when you’re in the sun.

Hide Front-and-Center Mosquito Bites

• Dab a 1 percent hydrocortisone ointment on the bite as soon as you notice it to bring down the inflammation and redness.  (An antihistamine, like Zyrtec, will also help reduce swelling.)
• Once you’ve treated the bite, cover it as you would a pimple, using concealer and a translucent powder.

Sweat Less…Or Create that Illusion

• Take a cold shower.  The cool water will lower your skin temperature, actually impacting how much you sweat.
• After showering, towel off and sprinkle powder over areas that tend to be particularly sweaty.
• To cure slippery feet, blow dry your feet using your hair dryer’s cool setting, and then pat powder on them.
• Consider using a deodorant with a higher antiperspirant power, like Secret Clinical Strength or Degree Clinical Protection.  For best results, apply your antiperspirant to totally dry skin right before bed.  If you need even-more-potent sweat prevention, ask you dermatologist for a prescription, like Xerac Ac or Drysol.

Prevent Hair from Wilting

• Get to get rid of the grease that can weigh down hair at the roots. Shampoo daily, using products like Neutrogena T/Sal shampoo for oil control.  Go easy on your conditioner usage, and try a product that has a gel consistency (like KMS California Add Volume Gel Conditioner) in order to keep hair smooth without flattening it.
• To defy gravity all day, look for products billed as “root lifters” (like L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Pumping Volume Spritz).  Spray at the roots when hair is still damp, or try flipping your head upside down while blow-drying for extra volume.

Cure a self-tanner hangover: streaky ankles, stained palms

• In the shower, squeeze an exfoliating scrub (preferably one containing glycolic acid, like Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Body) onto a loofah and rub it in circles over the darkest areas.  This will buff away that surface skin, and will soften the color.
• If you don’t have an exfoliator handy, the citric acid in fresh lemon juice can help slough away excess color (cutting a lemon in half and rubbing it directly on the splotchy areas will do the trick!).
• Once your skin is dry, a tinted bronzer will help even things out; you can also minimize remaining streaks by applying a subtle gradual tanner (like Lorac SelfTantalizer body Bronzing Gradual Self-Tanner) all over.
• Next time, exfoliate thoroughly before applying self-tanner; when you’re done applying, gently rub a damp washcloth over your elbows, knees, ankles, and feet (the areas most likely to streak).

Check out more tips and tricks in the August issue of O Magazine.

What do you think of these tips?  Add yours in the comments below!

How to Pick the Right Sunglasses for Your Face Shape

Nicole    Fashion, Shopping, Style, Summer

If you’re like me, you probably have tons of sunglasses, none of which fit your face exactly right.  Choosing sunglasses that look great isn’t always easy, but check out these tips on how to find the perfect pair for your face shape from Sunil Ramchandani, designer for Jockey Person to Person.

• Oval Face (Like me!): You want to make sure you find a frame that is wider than the broadest part of your face. If the overall frame of the glasses is in balance with your face, you can sport just about any look!
• Round Face: Square and rectangle frames work well because they make your face look longer and thinner; you want to avoid anything with a round frame.
• Square Face: Find an oval frame with arms attaching at the middle of the lens. This will accentuate your strong features as well as soften them.
• Heart-Shaped Face: Rimless frames and aviator’s works best because they soften the broad upper part of your face.

The easiest way to determine your face shape is to stand in front of your bathroom mirror. Take a piece of soap and trace out the shape of your reflection. Step back and look at what shape the soap drawing resembles.

Be sure to check out the Jockey Person to Person® Sunglass collection. Available in either rectangular or oval frames with gradient lenses for UV protection!

Are your bras and panties working with your summer style? Tips from Beverly Russina

Nicole    Fashion, Shopping, Style

It’s the season of halter tops, strapless dresses, tiny tanks, fitted tees and white, white, white! When the glorious sunshine and 85 degree weather comes, it’s also time to take a close look at your bras and panties and see if they’re working with that cute new maxi dress or that trendy sheer top you just hung in your closet.

Summer brings about such a shift in our wardrobe that a woman’s undergarment drawer qualifies for an extreme makeover. It’s also the prime time to dispel a few undergarment myths terrorizing an otherwise fashionable life.

We’ve narrowed down some of the most common questions our fitters respond to during the warm weather months:

What to wear under tees. Lacy and textured bras can leave you with unsightly bumps and bulges. Every woman – whether small-chested or full-figured – should have a T-shirt Bra in her intimates drawer. You’ll want a smooth and seamless bra that doesn’t sacrifice support, but gives an “invisible” appearance under those cute summer tees and other thin, fitted tops.

Trendy sheer. Not everyone can rock a dark bra under a sheer top, so if you want to err on the conservative side, consider a bandeau bra or a smooth camisole for a sleek silhouette alongside incredible style and comfort. There are also bandeau bras out this season in bright colors with fun designs—perfect to wear under solid sheer tops.

Loving white. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not white but flesh-toned bras and panties that look best under your white tops, jeans and dresses. Consider wearing seamless panties with your white bottoms to steer clear of VPLs.

Should I let my bra straps show? If you can help it, it’s best to prevent those straps from showing. You’ll want your fabulous summer style to stand out not your bra straps. It’s understandable given the variety of summer tops, that it’s hard to find a bra that works. With halter tops, spaghetti strap tanks, tube tops and strapless dresses, seems common to go with a strapless bra, but comfort often plays a huge factor for many women. Bandeau bras provide great comfort and a wonderful look, and many are made with side boning for additional support.

With halter tops and t-back shirts, every woman should invest in a convertible bra for halter tops and t-back shirts. You’ll find a convertible bra will come in handy for the many occasions in your life.

Going bra-less. When wearing strapless dresses and sleeveless tops, the urge to go bra-less is ever present. If you’re smaller-chested the choice is easier. But remember that a bra actually makes your tops fit and look better, which leads to greater confidence.

Sweaty Shapewear? We firmly believe that shapewear is a girl’s BFF, and if you buy quality shapewear in lightweight fabrics, it won’t matter what the temperature is outside. You’ll look nipped and tucked in your sexy summer styles and ready for a great night out.

Beverly Russina is the founder of 123underwear.com and Beverly’s Hill, intimates boutique in St. Louis, MO.  See more about 123underwear.com here.