Recently in Hair Category

I'm sorry, I know everyone is sick of Kate Gosselin but these photos are way too funny and I had to share.  US magazine tested out the Kate hairdo on our fave celebs and I can't decided who looks best because they all kinda look good in this bizarre style!  I guess when you're beautiful you can shave your head and still look hot!  Who do you thinks looks the best???  My vote is for Angie-- the awkward trashy style somehow doesn't look out of place for her.  What do you think?

Slathering our bodies with sunscreen is second nature for most of us by now, but many people don't know that our hair actually needs sun protection too -- especially if you're like me and are so pale that your scalp sometimes gets burned (ouch!!!). In fact, the same UV rays that damage skin can also penetrate the cuticle and oxidize hair color (ie blonde hair can become brassy, brown hair can become reddish...), and even if your hair isn't colored exposing it to the sun without protection will cause it to loose some of its vibrancy and become frizzy and rough (basically putting to waste all the time and money invested in all those Kerastase products all year-round). To that end, Redken recently came-out with New Color Extend Sun Collection which consists of After-Sun Shampoo ($13 for 10.1oz), After-Sun Mask ($15 for 8.5oz), and Sparkling Shield ($16 for 5oz -- this is a leave-in conditioner), all of which are formulated with Hydra-Shield Complex to give hair broad-spectrum protection against UV rays. They're also formulated with a new patented UV filter, Soplexyl for UV protection, and Mango Oil to help prevent dryness. My only complaint about the collection (which has a wonderfully light, non-fruity, refreshing smell), is that I wish they had a regular conditioner. My routine as of now is that I use a mask once a week and the other times I use a smidgen of regular conditioner and a smidgen of leave-in conditioner (I cannot live without Kerastase Chroma Riche!). So I've been mixing and matching my Chroma Riche hair care products with the Color Extend Sun ones and so far so good -- I just got my highlights done when I was in Madrid and I'm relieved that they will be protected from the sun!

I bought this recently at my salon and I am telling you, I don't need to style my hair anymore. Well, of course I have a great cut so it can air dry to perfection but my issues have always been with fly away and frizzing. The Kenra Smoothing Creme takes care of all that. I love summer for all kinds of reasons but when it comes to hair, I love that it is hot enough to dry my hair in the car with the windows down! Mess you say? Yeah, normally, it would be untamable after all that fun but the other day, I did just that with a couple of pumps of this stuff in my hair beforehand. And when I got to my destination (very important meeting with Estee Lauder people) I had the windblown look but perfectly coifed. My ends were smooth and there were no ratty tangles. This also helps to protect the hair from harmful UV rays, great for the summer! It is very lightweight, it is not a gloppy gloss but a nice fluffy cream. It does not hold though, it is just for shine and smoothing. It is only sold at salon so go to the Kenra site to find the nearest retailer near you for purchase, $19.

Having straight hair does not mean you can not add some curls in your life when you feel like it. I have stick straight stubborn hair and after spending an hour styling it, I want it to last and hold and stay curly. I have tried different curl definers but the Paul Mitchell Round Trip has worked the best. You can put it on dry or wet hair and it really enhances the curls - as in, makes your hair curlier than without using it. It also adds a shiny sheen by sealing the cuticles for perfect ends. It works with blow dryer and round brush, hot air brush or hot rollers. It still works on dry hair but obviously not as well. At Beauty.com for $11.96.

Warm weather can only mean one thing -- amping-up how often I go to Shobha for a bikini sugaring -- ouch (though a lot less ouch than with waxing!). That said getting waxed or sugared takes up-keep. In addition to applying hydrocortisone cream after getting it done, you have to cleanse the bikini area. Shobha actually has a great Aftercare Kit ($38), that includes hydrocortisone cream, an exfoliating cloth, and freshening cloths. Sweetspot also makes some great wipes ($12). The Shobha exfoliating cloth is way better than a regular loafah because it's very flexible, machine-washable, it's made from all-natural plant fibers, and it can be folded-up very small for travel. Also an Ingrown Relief Lotion ($22) is a must -- there's no point to hair removal if you're going to end-up with bumps and ingrowns! For pre-prep, talc-free power ($7) adds freshness while absorbing excess moisture (can be used for bikini area and underarms). If you go to Shobha you'll notice that whoever is sugaring or waxing you will apply some of their powder before beginning the wax/sugar as well as after. Check-out the website for the full run-down so as to make the hair removal process as pain-less as possible!

Update: I just had to share this video of Kate's own brother and sister-in-law who are pleading with authorities to look into laws to protect children from reality tv. Apparently Kate gave Jon a contract years ago when the series first started showing promise of being a money making machine-- she supposedly told him that he could date whomever he wants to as long as he showed up for filming. Not surprised at all. Actually, this totally makes sense now. She is a money grubbing shrew who will let her kids and marriage deteriorate for the sake of fame. Watch the interview at Radar here.
Kate and Jon Gosselin are the prime example of why Reality TV is the detriment of our society. I am so sick of reading about who Jon's doing and who Kate's not doing!  Meanwhile, what are the kids doing while these two fame hungry parents are hanging out at bars or on extended book tours?  Who is caring for the 8? The very 8 that made them famous?!?!

Let's get real here, without those 8 kids no one would care about this less than average couple . Sorry to sound so bitchy but as a mother I find their behavior appalling. It's bad enough that they allow cameras to intrude upon their children's lives and now they can't even behave properly after making a few pennies?

Oh and by the way Kate, not everyone wants your hair. The Snobs would rather shave their hair off than have that rat tail of a mess. For more annoying words from Kate (who claims she is an inspiration for moms) go to US weekly.
What about you?  DO YOU WANT KATE'S HAIR!!!

It's hard not to like a hair stylist who tells you upon meeting that he does not want this to be a one 'cut' stand and that he wants to have a love affair with your hair for a lifetime. It helps that he is utterly sincere and well, really really great at what he does-- which is giving you the best hair cut of your life. I am known for my dedication to my hair; for years I flew home to LA for my cuts until my stylist moved to another continent. I've been playing around with different stylists both in Dallas and New York but it looks like I will be heading home to La La Land for my cuts once again. Kelly went to Neil a few months ago and showed up in NYC for Fashion Week with the best haircut I've seen on her. Not one to miss out, I scheduled a cut myself with Neil in April and interviewed him while he snipped away.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the co-owner of the hottest hair salon in LA (think Reese Witherspoon, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Lopez and Kate Hudson) so humble and well, nice (uber colorist Amanda George is the other owner, more on her later)!  A veteran hairstylist of 30 years, Neil worked with the top of the industry (including Chris McMillan-- Jen Aniston's hair guru) before launching his salon four years ago.  Neil is also devoted father to two beautiful daughters, re-scheduling our appointment so that he could attend a school function for one them-- he won points with me before we even met!  (Jump for the entire interview!)

While I was at Bergdorf to check-out some of the new lines the department store is carrying, none stood-out more than Oribe. Oribe is, of course, the fab hairstylist we've all read so much about --- he's done everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Agyness Deyn and Cindy Crawford's hair and his hair looks have appeared on the covers and pages of Vogue, Elle, Allure, W, V and Pop, among many others. (Jump for more!)

I'll admit it, when I first heard of Josie Maran's line of products I did not plan to try or buy anything (I know, such the beauty snob huh?!?).  But then I got a sample of the Argan Oil and have decided re-form my opinion on models turned beauty entrepreneurs.  This legendary, lightweight oil, grown organically in Morocco, is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids but does not feel sticky as a lot of E oils do.  I used it this morning as a moisturizer (absorbs amazingly fast) and then used it all over my body from head to toe (including my cuticles) and split ends. For a mom who does not have a lot of time in the morning, this is almost a miracle product.  My skin has had a subtle glow all day but I don't feel greasy. 

Best part is it's 100% organic!  Housed in a recyclable glass bottle with an easy to use applicator, I even used it on my son's rash and the redness went away almost immediatley.  The only drawback is the scent, it stinks.  But god is it good.  Just make sure you spritz on some perfume afterwards.  $48 at Josiemaran.com

Lorri Goddard Clark at the Neil George uses a technique called balliage for highlighting. This is her specialty, in fact, she is the international expert of this technique and teaches it to other salons including the John Freida Salon in London. People fly in from all over the world to get this done by her. This is a self made video of her describing the technique while she is doing it, you really need to see it to fully appreciate the artistry required. In case the audio is poor, she is saying that she gets full control of where the color goes and that it is the haute couture of highlighting. She also can remove color at different times as they are ready, usually the ends because it is previously colored. This process is around $350 (she is actually doing my friend's hair here and that's what she pays) but it all depends on the individual. I know we have been waxing on about the Neil George Salon but it is really the best in LA and Neil is so so super sweet. Located at 9320 Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.275.2808 (call for appointments).