MY HAIR COLOR, MY CLIENT- VICTORIA HAY

I want to share an amazing shoot that a group of very talented individuals put together. I am very impressed with the Hairstylist and the makeup artist.

Great job guys!





http://www.titaniafilm.com/

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GYM HAIR FUNDAMENTALS

HAIR-OBICS



Girls, as you already know, living in a large metropolis can be very stressful. Your days are spent doing all the things that need to be done to preserve one’s sanity. On top of that, you try to squeeze in a trip to the gym to maintain your health and promote your well-being. And then there is the hair issue. Could life get any harder?

Here are some tips that will allow you to make wise use of your time while protecting your hair at the gym.

1. Invest in some plastic, travel size containers from your local Beauty Supply. Use these containers to store all of your professional hair products – shampoo, conditioner and hair mask. Shampoos at the gym can be harsh, especially for my color treated ladies.

2. If you workout every day and have to wash and blow-dry your hair every day, try rinsing instead of shampooing each time. If your hair is color treated, this is frankly too much shampooing for you. You can condition after rinsing being sure to avoid the roots and applying to the ends only.

3. Try not to be aggressive with your hair when quickly twisting it into a ponytail. Use gentle fabrics or hair bands to help keep your hair under control. American Apparel has a variety of hair bands and they are all made in America!

4. If you have long hair with bangs and the hair in your eyes is driving you crazy, there’s a solution. Simply braid your hair and tuck it away safely, then wet your bangs combing them back and use a bobby pin

or a headband to keep those babies down.

5. If you know beforehand that you’re going to workout, why not shampoo your hair at home, towel dry and then apply a hair mask? Braid or put your hair in a bun and head to the gym. After working out, you can sit in the steam room while giving your hair a deep treatment.

The steam will help the mask work better than just doing it for two minutes in the shower. If you are going to do some serious cardio, I would suggest applying the mask after your workout. Otherwise, you may end up looking like someone slapped you across the face with a tamale.

6. DO NOT go into the steam room for three days after getting your hair colored.

7. DO NOT leave hair masks in your hair after the gym under the false assumption that the longer you leave it in, the better. If it does not say “LEAVE IN”, do not do so for too long. This can cause build up on the scalp. And where does hair grow from? I rest my case.

8. DO NOT gossip at the gym (just kidding).

9. DO NOT use cheap plastic brushes as your “gym brush”. They will ruin your hair!

I hope these bits of advice are helpful. If you have any tips of your own, please feel free to share them.

I wish you a great workout and healthy hair!

Antonio

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THE COVER OF PREF MAGAZINE

MY RECENT SHOOT


Copyright © 2009 Antonio Gonzales, All Rights Reserved

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PLUMP - BY ORLANDO PITA

Over the years I’ve used many volumizing products and have written about them all. As my career evolves, so does my knowledge of hair care products in general. Consequently, I’ve become less patient with products that promise the world, but fail to deliver.

Recently, I’ve been exposed to several products. Today, I would like to focus on one of these created by Orlando Pita in the T3-line. I’m excited to share with you a product that I simply cannot get enough of – PLUMP.

My first day working with Orlando’s team at Orlo, I turned to Joe (an extremely talented stylist) for a product recommendation. Without thinking twice he said, “use PLUMP”. The entire staff chimed in and quickly supported his opinion. It was represented to me as the “go to” product for blow drying most hair types.

The first client I had at my new salon is a close friend of mine and big supporter (actually, that’s how I describe all of my clients). Her hair was thick and 100% gray. With a wave of my magic wand, she was transformed into having a light brown base with golden highlights and well blended, rich lowlights.

Keep in mind that this was my first day at Orlo and I was nervous, especially since only one product was recommended for me to use. Needless to say child, I was sweating. So I sprayed through her hair and started working it. All I can say is that her hair began reacting as though I’d used the usual three products.

I was finally done – hugs and kisses were exchanged. What I liked most about it was the finish, the hold and the shine. It’s a practical spray, meaning that it does not dry quickly like a volumizing mousse would. It gives you enough time to get through an entire head of hair without panicking. It also….

HAIR TYPES

It can be used on all hair types. On thick, coarse hair it’s amazing and for extra support add a little of the Boost styling set (another miracle creation by Orlando Pita).

On fine hair is when it’s at its best and it does not leave fine, highlighted hair feeling coarse.

The packaging of this product is sleek and clean. The information on the bottle is easy to read and boasts heat protection. I give this product my stamp of approval and so do my clients that have been using it.

I wish you beautiful, bouncy hair! When in doubt, PLUMP it.

ANTONIO

Copyright © 2009 Antonio Gonzales, All Rights Reserved

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SHOPPING WITH ANTONIO

RAFFAELE e PAOLA

After moving to New York well over seven years ago, I now find myself relying on a little shopping to ease my stress. Afterall, what harm could a minor purchase or two cause, right? For that you’ll have to speak to my Financial Planner. [smile]

Because I live and work amongst some amazing stores, I decided to give my readers – whether living or visiting the Big Apple – a sampling of my taste in fashion, spa services and anything else my humble heart desires.

Today’s Purchases

Have you heard of RAFFAELE e PAOLA? Darlings, it’s been a secret of mine for quite some time now (at least I like to think so). I wandered in and engaged in my usual session with Abigail (the owner and daughter of Raffaele and Paola, for whom the store is named).

Immediately, in the corner of my eye I saw some gloves that I just had to have. Now, gloves have always been a difficult thing for me to purchase as they’re generally too masculine and, I must insist, give me gloves with flair.

Meanwhile, as I was “ooh-ing and ahh-ing” about, I saw my dream umbrella. Yes, I do splurge on accessories! It was fit for a man, yet sleek and well designed. Makes you almost hope for a rainy forecast.


Here’s what Abigail had to say:

RAFFAELE e PAOLA was founded in 2006 with the idea in mind to bring beauty from Europe. To be surrounded by sensuality, imagination, rock ‘n’ roll, elegance and flights of fancy. To bring history and respect for craftsmanship passed down through generations.

For you to find something that may bring out the lady/gentleman in you, or the animal.

Form and function are indeed, always criteria. But maybe when it is not raining, you hang the umbrella on the wall, just because it is that amazing. “I’m always asked who Raffaele e Paola are. They are my parents.”

I do her mom’s hair and she’s a darling!

Antonio

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HAIR BY ANTONIO

HAIR BY ANTONIO

DASHBOARD CONFESSIONALS
Alter The Ending
Dashboard Confessional
Release Date:11/10/2009

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The “It” Factor

On Sunday evening, I treated a girlfriend and her children to see Michael Jackson’s “This Is It”. My expectations consisted of experiencing a journey through his career from boyhood through adulthood. You may be asking yourself “didn’t Antonio read the reviews or watch the news to know that this was about Michael’s last performance?”

Well, for the record, I don’t read reviews.

I’ve always been of the opinion that when it comes to art, other’s opinions are to be respected, but mine is the only one that matters…to me. I will be the judge of what I consider being good or bad art. I guess this view is a product of my environment – having been raised on a small island bustling with talent without access to the right costumes, stage setting, lighting, etc.



As a result, I developed the ability to identify raw talent without all the fluff while being protective of my own opinion. Anywho, we arrived at the theater on 42nd Street and got comfortable with all the fat free goodies AMC had to offer. [burp] What seemed like a never-ending barrage of advertisements and movie previews gave us time to catch up and share in our excitement to see “This Is It”.

All of a sudden, there he was. It was as if nothing had changed and he was still with us. His voice was as strong as ever, triggering emotions of great joy and inspiration. He performed and performed – his musicians and dancers all uniting to hopefully produce an event that would once again change the way we experienced music and dance through the eyes of the King of Pop.

If I were to use two words to describe seeing MJ perform, they would have to be the “ultimate escapism”.

As a child growing up in Trinidad, I was surrounded by African and Indian dance and music. So escaping in Michael’s performance was not difficult. What I considered most enjoyable was the audience participation as if we were watching a live performance. We clapped, we cheered, we oohd and ahhd ; there were even moments when you’d hear “you go Michael”.

I must confess, at one point I screamed “hells to the no”. It was just so damn good…all of it!

I do know that there was a lot of editing and I probably saw the best footage captured. Regardless, what I experienced was the same thrill I experienced 12 years ago when I saw him perform in Munich. The man is easily one of my biggest sources of inspiration. His music and moves actually make me want to do my best with L-O-V-E.

At one point he turned to his dancers and said “give the audience what they want; they want to escape. It’s about escapism.” I can relate to that on a very deep level. Who does not want to escape sometimes? After trying many different ways to escape, MJ’s music is still the easiest. And now back to my biggest L-O-V-E – doing hair.

I wish you all a safe way to escape!

Antonio

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WHEN I LOOK AT SOMEONE I THINK OF THE MOOD I WANT TO CREATE

HAIR BY ANTONIO

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