New Year, New You

Now that we’ve rung in the new year, it is time to update your look to reflect your new style!  This does not necessarily mean that you do a complete overhaul, which can be fun; subtle changes go a long way as well.  Whether you want a complete makeover or just a small change, here are some suggestions:


ef656_wavy-hair-styles-11Color: Brighten it up!  With Spring and Summer just around the corner, lightening your hair will freshen up your skin and give you a youthful look.  You can achieve this by a few subtle highlights or become a total bombshell, like Heidi Klum.


Cut: Get out of your rut! Cut off all the length that is weighing you down–think January Jones.  If you’re not ready for that commitment, try side-swept bangs or layers around your face–these are more conservative ways to change your cut.


Styling: Get a curling iron!  Stick straight hair is played out.  Add soft body to your hair with a large-barrel curling iron.


You can update your look depending on how daring you are and your level of commitment.  My recommendation is to start out slow, and then re-assess–you might surprise yourself with how daring you’ll be. 

Rain Rain Go Away or Give Us Relief from a Rainy Hair Day?!

bad_hair_day_2101367300So let’s face it, those of us that live in the City of Angels don’t exactly know what to do when it is raining outside. We have a hard time driving, going to work, and we especially have a hard time when it comes to styling our hair. Here in L.A. we are so spoiled by the lack of humidty, which as a gal from South Mississippi, I know that humidity makes everyday a questionable hair day.  I have noticed that living in Los Angeles these past six years, is that “almost” everyday in this climate and weather conditions is practically a guarantee for an outstanding hair day.


Not to sound ungrateful for this much needed rain, but in an unprepared city we need to find solutions on how to deal with the rain when it comes to our hair – and fast. 

 

First we can start with product usage. Thank goodness that major hair care companies have found ways to combat weather conditions with products.  They help improve our hair when the hair is suddenly moist.  One of my favorite “can’t-live-without” rainy day products is the Oribe Hair Care – Impermeable Anti-Humidity Hair Spray.  This ultra-luxe range keeps hair looking beautiful and healthy for6a00e5504d1b2f88330120a523cc55970b-500wi simply gorgeous hair. This anti-humidity finishing spray shields hair from frizz on the sultriest of days (and nights), protecting sleek blowouts and perfect curls alike.


061008_hair11_sp08_400x400Another thing to consider on these rainy humid days is hair frizz! Bumble and bumble gives us their “Defrizz” product. It does what it says (and more): protects against frizz, acts as a barrier to humidity and leaves hair soft, silky and flyaway-free.  Bumble and bumble also has their signature Surf Spray. This spray provides that beachy texture that you get on the beach. Sexy, salty, sun-dried, windswept styles – whenever, wherever. Perfect for weather, giving the hair an awesome texture. With these sorts of products anyone can tackle even the gloomiest of days.


Now that we’ve talked about product, let’s talk about some basic DIY styles. I would like to start with the messy low bun, it’s simple, it’s easy and the key is that it is MESSY. You don’t have to be a rockstar hair pro to achieve this look, you can simply apply product, rough dry your hair for natural texture and put our hair in a low pony tail either in the back or on the side. Twist the hair and pin it. This look is also so current, we have seen tons of celebrities strut their stuff on the red carpet wearing this modern, chic, and simple style.mk-braid


Braids are also making a huge comeback! Even if you don’t know how to french braid, the standard american braids are all over the top runways and in the pages of the current Vogue magazines. Messy hair with a braid looks good and keeps your look current and fresh. Remember y’all, it’s the imperfections that make the hair perfect!


emma-roberts-hair-messy-ponytail-bunAlso, texture is in right now! Even just applying a little anti humidity product, the surf spray, or a little defrizz, or cocktailing all 3, you can finger through your hair and let it air dry, and still manage to have a fierce hair day. You can accompany this style with barrettes, headbands, or a cute hat  (also huge trends). 


Basically y’all, the ultimate goal is to embrace the rain, embrace the humidity and make it work for you! Rain definitely puts a damper on things like hiking, and outside dining, but it doesn’t have to interfere with your confidence and appearance.

pæˈstɛl [Pastel]

pas⋅tel /pæˈstɛl; especially Brit. ˈpæstl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [pa-stel; especially Brit. pas-tl] Show IPA –noun/ a color having a soft, subdued shade.


I am not quite sure when the pastel color trend surfaced.  It just seems to be building alot of momentum.  


What I do know is that I love love love it!  Don’t you!!!  Check it out!

 


Now for some tips, facts, ideas about this trend:



1. Most suitable for pale to fair skin tones


2. I feel that for a highlighted effect (similar to the picture on the left) you should only pair the pale tones with blonde hair.  Brunettes, I’m sorry but the next trend will be for you.


3. Getting an all-over pastel tone is not an easy feat.   You must be pale blonde hair (almost white) before you apply the tone.  Any yellow tones in your hair will convert certain colors like blue to green.


4.  Quick and easy solution to add pastel highlights to your pale blonde hair just in time for Coachella!   Extensions/Pieces!  By adding pastel colored extensions to your hair, it will appear as though you had highlights put in.  It will alos give you more body while hanging out by the pool.


5. Lastly, come to Studio DNA and ask for me for all your pastel hair needs this spring.

LA Street Food Festival Photo Shoot

Hair by Audra and Make-Up by Stephanie

Beautiful Ladies by Shauna and Sonja

Photography by Monica at www.BoudoirRougePhoto.com


What’s New in Hair for 2010 is Actually Quite Old

Marilyn MonroeAmanda SeyfriedSo, its a New Year and a New Decade.  People are hitting the gym, frequenting health food stores, shopping for new clothes and hitting the hair salons to reinvent themselves for 2010.  It’s always a good idea to update yourself so that you can invite people in to what is happening for you on the inside.  Your appearance is the first thing that people see and if you don’t change your look you will give the impression that you are not growing and changing as a person.   With all thats around these days as far as options, its getting easier and easier to have your own style reflect the ever evolving you.


In my opinion, your ‘New Style’ comes down to three things:


          1.  Your day to day life (You don’t want to a complicated ‘12-hours-to-create’ hairstyle if you are an extremely busy person) 

          2. Your personal aesthetic (Do you prefer modern angular lines or flowing curves?  Do you prefer a short and funky style or long flowing locks?) and

          3. Your inspiration (eras, shapes, people, architecture, fashion).


Penelope CruzOne thing that inspires me most is Old Hollywood glamour. It inspires my own style and fashion.  But I also look to these images within my own work.  I’m not saying I want to lighten every client to the likes of Marilyn Monroe, or finger wave until my fingers fall off, but there is something about the structure of these styles that affects me. Apparently I am not the only one either, open up any magazine and check out our modern day movie stars. It won’t take long to see that this year’s “new styles”  are definitely harkening back to the ”old”.


When it comes to the classics of Old Hollywood hair, there is something for everyone. The great thing about all the techniques at our disposal these days is that we can take a classic due from Grace Kelly and funk it up for the likes of Kat Von D. Its all about our inspiration, or as I like to call “hair-spiration”.  Whether you are more of a sexpot like Brigitte Bardot, or more of a clean lines girl like Audrey Hepburn, its hard to ignore that our new styles are just updated takes on the old.  For me its exploring the idea that the hair said so much about the woman (and perhaps still does).  From the color to the style,  hair used to be and still is a large representation of ourselves and our attitudes. Open any history books and remember when Flappers cut their hair as a rebellion, and now a short cropped due on a woman is something of a picture of strength. Kind of ironic, isn’t it?.  ButAudrey Hepburn why is that? Just like with everything around us, modern day ideals always have ties to the past. Its great to see that even our red carpet looks recently have diverted back to the days when smoking looked elegant, not that I’m saying you should smoke, but your hair definitely should!!!!


Brigitte BardotSo in looking at what inspires you for 2010, check out Elizabeth Taylor or Brigitte Bardot and add your own twist.


Then get yourself a nice faux-fur coat, a dry martini, and scarf and drive yourself around town in a convertible.  Heads will turn!






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