WHATS HOT FOR TODAYS WOMAN

Minding my own business on the Q Train last week I noticed something interesting. Three girls were sporting the same hair do. All three of these girls were actually of different ethnicity which I thought was really cool. The look was longer hair with waves starting around the cheekbone area and gently falling around the face to the ends.

How sweet (I thought to myself) all these sisters are working the same look. It’s a look that's really easy to re-create but my only concern is that it’s already being over used on reality shows. Can I bear seeing every woman of all ages wearing it in NYC as well? It got me thinking so I started doing my research. When did this look go mainstream?

Well to my surprise as I looked through countless styles over the years it brought me to this image which was done by Orlando Pita in 1997.

Three years later Orlando Pita did Madonna for her music album and did these gorgeous waves that really matched her country and western style.

It seems like this style has changed a bit and has since changed size curl while becoming a little more coiffed (this look is too done for my liking).

Since then following the feel of longer sexy hair, we created the following looks for Fashion week (with much guidance and help from Orlando) for Osca de Larenta's fall collection which was reminiscent of Farah Fawcett meets Dynasty.


The same week we worked on the Diane Von Furstenberg fall show giving a more textured messy feel that was still sexy. Orlando's words were "no tight curls please!" (we all smiled).



One week after my Q train experience I'm at the salon and noticed a version of these two looks that pushed the limit with texture and sex appeal. And to my surprise guess who styled the hair? Orlando (smile). So now, a look that may have startedover ten years ago is being re-vamped and its sexier than ever!


TIP
Ladies its all about texture. Try braiding your hair when you go to bed, in the morning take pieces of hair and style with your iron as usual. In other words, messier is better. Or you can even do your hair the night before with the curling iron and sleep on it, and before you leave home use some Elevate by Orlando Pita to give your hair that texture that only the beach and a good roll in the hay can give (without the salt or the straw). Even braiding the hair in smaller sections and going over it with a flat iron can create the illusion of a messier slept in texture.

I wish you all messy sexy hair this summer!

Posted by Unknown at 6:10 PM - 0 comments

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GLAZE AND A GLOSS

Throughout my career, I have heard these two words thrown around like rag dolls by a five year old. Now, it's time to know the difference. I did extensive research and read many articles from fellow NYC stylists like Rita ,Marie and my co-workers at the Orlo salon to inspire this article.

THE HAIR GLAZE
What comes to mind when I hear the word glaze is a shiny delicate surface, like that of a glazed cake.

So, after my research, I was happy to know that we all agreed (some hairstylists) that a glaze is a temporary color that can add great shine to a virgin head of hair or color treated hair. Some glazes have pigment added to boost any matching hair color. Weather it’s clear or colored, glazes add a safe translucent coating to the hair shaft that washes off in 12-14 shampoos. Glazes contain no ammonia or peroxide which means it does not have the ability to lift your natural color or open the cuticle to deposit color. It gently lays on the surface of the hair. Glazes will not cover gray hair, not even a few. However, on someone with "a few gray hairs" it can add over all shine and a hint of a colored tone.

One of my favorite glazes is Color Shines by Sebastian (cellophane's). I have been using this product for over 16 years and I still love the results. This temporary gel like substance comes in clear and a variety of colors that can compliment any brunette or blond. Keep in mind there are other glazes on the market but this is my favorite, I'm yet to be disappointed by this product.

To use on virgin hair, I first I shampoo the hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove all product residue. I then towel dry well and apply from roots through the ends. I place a plastic cap and sit the client under heat for 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes allow to cool for 5 minute and rinse well.

TIP
Use an old school hooded dryer. I prefer the results compared to a Roller ball or a Climazone. The heat and strong flow of air from the hooded dryer works better for me.

Do not shampoo. Rinse well with cool water (7-10 minutes) and condition only.

If using colored glaze wear gloves, apply protective cream to the hair line and avoid the scalp because this baby stains the skin.

THE GLOSS
When I think of a gloss, I think of car paint or nail polish, something stronger and longer lasting.

We also agreed (my fellow hairstylists) that a hair gloss is the stronger of the two. It contains peroxide and does have the ability to budge the cuticle depositing longer lasting color. If used with heat on virgin hair some glosses will give lift to the hair changing the tone by a shade (I have seen it with my own eyes). When used on color treated blond or brunette hair, it will add shine and enhance the existing tones in the hair which can be a life saver a month after having your hair colored. Glosses can be clear or come in many different colors (more colors than glazes) and can last up to 3-4 weeks. They can be applied to dry or towel dried hair and as mentioned, can be used with heat or no heat (like color touch by Wella)

One of my favorite glosses is Dia Color by L’Oreal. This can make a blond sparkle a month and a half after getting the color done, which means you and prolong your next visit to the salon for your full color application.

TIP
1) If you have virgin hair in need of shine but sensitive to chemical or the slightest change in the texture or tone of your hair, I highly recommend using a glaze. Do not take any chances with the lowest volume peroxide in a gloss. It’s better to be safe than sorry baby!

2) If your hair is damaged and you have a choice between either a Gloss or a Glaze, I highly recommend a glaze. Even the lowest volume peroxide can make a bad situation worse.

3) When sitting at the shampoo bowl after having your color rinsed and an assistant or stylist is about to apply that final product for "shine" Ask weather or not if it has peroxide and if so, must it be used. Sometimes the healthier alternative could make your hair love you more.

Keep in mind that Glosses are a girl’s best friend (especially for blending gray hair) but it should be used when necessary and on hair that really needs it.

I wish you shine, shine, shine!!

Posted by Unknown at 12:15 PM - 1 comments

MY NEW WEBSITE

I'm really excited to share with you my new "coming soon" page for my improved website. When it’s completed, I will be offering a variety of helpful links for my clients and readers. From a Podcast to a large detailed picture gallery of my work as well as links to my on going writing for other web sites will all be featured. I spent some serious time with Benjamin pulling this together and I'm very happy with the results.

Thanks Benjamin!

Posted by Unknown at 2:51 PM - 0 comments