Recently in Hair Category

Janet Waddell is one of the world's leading hairstylists (she was the creative director at Vidal Sasson before branching out on her own), so it's only fitting that she come-out with her very own line of products. The three-product line that she has developed includes a shampoo, conditioner, and a styling balm all of which have been formulated with Emu oil (this is a first for a retail hair line). I had never heard of Emu oil before using this line, but apparently it has been used by Australian Aboriginal for over 2,000 years for its moisturizing benefits and it's been proven to stimulate hair growth/thickness. What I love about this line however is that it's not a soapy, detergent-like mess! The line is all-natural, paraben-free, moisturizing (didn't need to use a leave-in), and the shampoo only contains 10% water (as opposed to 80-90% in most! Clearly most hair products are way over-priced...). The shampoo and conditioner ($24 each), have a ginger/lime fragrance that's subtle enough to work for both men and women. As for the Styling Balm ($28), I've been using it on the crown of my head for its anti-frizz properties (it's lightweight so it's a good option for summertime styling). If you're in the NYC-area and don't want to order online, you can head to Janet Waddell's salon and check them out in person!

One of the worst feelings is when you spend a good two hours getting ready to go out only to see your night turn into a total bust. My hair is naturally a bit curly, a bit frizzy - basically an overall textural mess, so styling it is time-consuming which is why I'm gaga over All Nighter Styling Powder ($18). I just recently discovered this hybrid between a dry shampoo and a styling product that is amazing for absorbing oil and thickening to keep your hair looking good the day after you've styled it. It comes in six colors so you can match the powder to your hair and it applies matte. My hair gets flat and limp the day after styling it with spray and shine products, so I love that this gives instant volume for those days where I don't want to let those hours spend on my hair go to waste (or I'm just too lazy to re-wash it again!).

On a side-note the formulation is paraben, aluminum, talc, silica, and propellant-free. It's also all-natural.

You only have to take one peak in my closet to see how much I love Ports 1961. Their dresses and coats are particularly amazing -- Tia Cibani just has the most amazing eye for quality and detail. The designer's eye extends beyond fashion and into hair, makeup, accessories, and styling as well. In fact the hair at the Ports show this season stuck-out as one of the most memorable (at the show I was seated between my mother and a good friend and at various points throughout the show both turned to me and were like "OMG! The hair!"). Seriously how fierce!? Pearson Knight let the Aveda team to create this soft take on the 80s perm. To get the look spray your hair with Aveda's Air Control Spray and section it into small pieces. Then curl and pin down the hair onto your scalp. Release the curls and backcomb.

From Kate Moss to Tavi, the latest hair trend is going gray. I recently had my hair colored at OC61 by the most AMAZING colorist Laurie Daniel (seriously, if you live in NYC and highlight/color your hair...go see her. I can pretty much guarantee satisfaction), and chatted with her about this trend. Laurie made a great point when she said that no matter who you are, putting some shades of gray near your face will immediately age you. While Tavi is still super-cute and Kate looks gorgeous no matter what, there's no denying that they both look way, way, way older with the gray streaks in their hair. Personally I don't like this trend and will be sticking with my sun-kissed dirty blonde.

What say you about gray hair? Snob or Slob?

Living Proof has won more beauty awards than one could feasibly count -- and rightfully so. They tackle frizz like no other and have developed the most refreshingly scented formulations. Now the brand has launched a new product, Full Thickening Cream ($24), to their lineup of offerings. The cream is meant for those with thin, life-less, limp hair who are looking for a thicker mane. It's touted as an alternative to sprays that last only a few hours because it's made with a new polymer (called Poly Beta Amino Ester-1), that's both strong and elastic, but also durable and non-sticky. I haven't used this product myself as I usually am trying to flatten my hair not thicken it, but after the jump see expert tips on how to use this product from Living Proof co-founders, Ward Stegerhoek and Mitch DeRosa!

I just got my hair done at the Neil George salon so of course I want to preserve the immaculate style. So what do I do? I had Neil throw in this Refresh Dry Shampoo. Two days later, things were looking a bit matted so I gave it a try. This is not like the T3 or Bumble and Bumble that sprays a colored powder to cover up the greasy hair. This actually blows some sort of super power mist that dries the hair. It does have ingredients that are blown on the hair as well that helps to absorb oil from your hair and scalp but it does not coat the hair and make it sticky. The texture of course is not like freshly washed hair but as far as dry shampoos go, this one does leave the hair much more "natural". It also smells divine with a blend of Jaborandi, Cherimoya and Gotu Kola which also stimulates circulation and strengthens the roots. Great to bring on trips, but make sure you check it though, you will not be able to carry this on! At Drugstore.com for $18.

I have no desire to glitter as brightly as a Christmas tree but a little sparkle never hurt anyone (right!?). The All Nighter All Over Shimmer PowderTM is an all-natural highlighter for hair, face, and body that gives you a gorgeous subtle glow (and I promise no one will mistake you for a pole dancer). This unique, multi-purpose loose powder is formulated with silk, rice, and minerals - gently scented with just a touch of cinnamon though I don't know why anyone would want to smell like pumpkin pie.  I tested this out and the color is fairly neutral, kind of champagne-ish.  Try brushing it through hair to add a bit of sparkle if you have a big night out (please make sure hair is clean, mine was not and it just made it look greasier).  All in all, a really fantastic shimmer for the entire body and the compact is really tiny so you can travel with it, too.  The All Nighter All Over Shimmer Powder here $18

To start off the New Year right I thought it would be great to highlight some of the most exciting new brands and product launches that we've come across these past 12 months. Can't wait to see what's in store from these brands for 2010! Check back this week to see more for makeup, skincare, and fragrances.

HerCut -- the first line to tackle hair based on hairstyle, HerCut products were created based on the five basic cuts (bob, shag, pixie, blunt, long layers), thus taking into consideration the way hair moves when treating it. All of their styling products use cut-specific polymers, while their shampoos target hair type (oily, dry...) and their conditioners go from light to deep. 


Living Proof -- Simply put when it comes to beating frizz there is no topping this line. Not only does it get the job done like no other, the products smell delicious. Living Proof also just launched a line of shampoos and conditioners.


Redken Real Control Mineral Elixir and Bumble&Bumble Shine Spray -- Besides adding shine, both products are non-sticky, smooth-out hair (they work great in combo with heat-styling tools), and smell light and refreshing (the Redken spray actually smells like Donna Karan Cashmere Mist!). Jump for More!

Ooo how I miss Summer! Come the cold NYC winter I always contemplate hibernating in my parent's Miami condo, but my fear of driving always stops me! This year may be different...I literally do not want to leave my apartment it's THAT cold:( One of the drawbacks though of lots of sun exposure is that if you don't protect your hair properly (or over-dye it), it can get very damaged.  To that end, there's a new 4-step hair-care system that does something I'm always a fan of - it has an impact after a single application! Called Biolustre, the system just launched in the US and among the many celebs that have already used it are Brooke Shields, Mandy Moore, Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria-Parker, and Jessica Lowndes. Besides celeb fans though what convinced me to try it was that it's said to be so effective that a law is expected to pass in Texas (where the company is based) enforcing EVERY salon in the state to carry the product to protect hair from blow-drying, straightening, chemical treatments, etc...how crazy is that!? Jump for the lowdown on the system!

I live in Dallas-- where big hair and loud make up once ruled, but is now the land of flat ironed hair and pale beige faces. The only big hair you'll see around here is on the old guard of women in Dallas, who's glamorous do's and make up of the '80s are not merely memories, but still part of their daily lives... And sometimes, on me. I love big hair! I love make up! I have no problem with being a big haired loud make up girl-- that's what's fun about being a girl! It could be because I was born with a head of impossibly straight (BORING!) hair but there is nothing I love more than to curl, tease, and play with my hair. And it's not because I now live in Texas, I've been like this since birth no matter where I live or work (Taiwan, DC, LA, NYC, etc). I also love hair spray-- from Aqua net (purple can!) in high school to the T3's heat seeking hairspray, I've tried them all. My latest favorite is from Oribe-- after hearing of my hairspray obsession, Oribe offered to send it to me to review and I willingly agreed. The bottle is possibly the largest I've ever seen (thus the $29 price tag). It apparently also resembles something from Star Wars, according to the savvy 5 year old tot snob who lives in my house. But to me, it's chic and sleek. I had trouble with the bottle at first and could not figure out how to use it, finally something clicked and a fine spray of light mist filtered through. Unlike many hairsprays that dry on contact, Oribe's superfine hairspray actually stays soft while holding your hair style. Over Thanksgiving, I was able spray and style throughout the day (though no one was really looking at me, it was the delectable turkey they lusted after) and my hair never flaked (total bonus for me as I have black hair and every flake shows!). All in all, this is a fabulous hairspray that provides medium hold. At Barneys New York for $29.