The Hair At Carolina Herrera Spring/Summer 2014

As always Carolina Hererra delivers an elegance with her latest collection that captivates even the most jaded among the fashion-weary flock at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

A few hours before the show began, my colleagues and I gathered around Orlando who did a demo of the look.

First we brushed and blow dried the hair, removing all knots and kinks. We then generously sprayed Spirulina Hair Spray thorough each model's hair.

To achieve the look, Orlando had us all do a side part...and in typical Orlando-style, he paid close attention making sure each head was perfect. That's one of the things I enjoy about working with him...his laser-like focus and attention to detail. We then back-combed the hair section by section.

Orlando advised us to use hairpins sparingly, so we could avoid unnecessary bumps or pulls.


Starting with the left side, we did our first twist, then moved to the right and did our next twist
Orlando mentioned that the idea was to simulate "...sea shells, the long ones that swirls."

And to avoid it looking too "classic," we created two little shell-like curls at the top of the twist.

In the end it was a beautiful, (hint - not easy to do) hairstyle that complimented Ms. Hererra's elegant designs.

Posted by Unknown at 9:24 AM - 2 comments

A Look Back At 30 Years of Hair Trends And Trends To Come

As we await Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, let's take a look back at the major fashion trends and fads that have influenced the beauty industry.

Ahhh.. the 1980's! Hair and fashion was all about opulence, with big hair that was full of volume and waves.

As we entered the 90's, we saw a strong influence from designers such as Helmut Lang and Prada that was all about minimalism. Hair slowly went from big and textured, to flat and smooth. With the addition of new technical advances in styling tools (flatirons) , hair also became flatter.

Another 90's trend that was everywhere was extensions. It started as a beauty secret, adding sex appeal to a woman while maintaining a more "natural look."
As hair extensions became less of a "beauty secret" and became more mainstream, every model or actress wanted to make her individual statement with longer wavy hair.  As a result, it went from being a more blended "hair accessory" to a very obvious crown of locks. Suddenly women did not care about looking natural; it was all about over-the-top effects and high drama.

In past few seasons, hair became inspired by the 60's. Stylists moved away from extensions when it came to the runway and ad campaigns. Another strong influence was the Great Gatsby era, showing up in fashion magazines where models showcased shorter hair. So hair with long waves was replaced with a minimalist vibe and a lot less hair drama.

Now as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week approaches, I am so excited to see what will be hitting the runways across the world, as top designers and hairstylists come together to bring us the latest trends in hair.

Stay tuned for more on this season fashion week with back stage images from this weekends shows!!

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Best Hair Gel

Why is it a simple product, like a good hair gel is so hard to find? Well that's why you have me, to be your human guinea pig and test what works and what does not.

I bring you the Phyto Strong Sculpting Hair Gel.  

I have fine, wavy hair that’s curly in some parts and tends to get frizzy along the sides. So I’ve been looking for a product that can even out the waves, holds well and leaves my hair shiny, minus the flakes.  As a hairstylist I am very picky with products and like you…it’s annoying to use products that make promises they can’t keep.

So during fashion week, I was given this gel to try and was very skeptical. But having liked other products from Phyto, I decided to give it a try.

I now use this gel religiously and I love it. After coming out of the shower I apply a quarter size of gel and comb it through.

If you have thicker hair, feel free to use more.

What I like about this gel is it will not make my hair rock hard, but the hold is great (no helmet hair). Then to change the look, I can easily brush my hair, breaking up the gel and have a softer look that still works with my haircut.  I like the ability to change my hairstyle at the end of the day before going out without having to wet my hair.

If you want it to last it last all day long (and into the night,) use the Spray De Coiffage to further lock it into place. Not to worry…you can still brush it for a softer look if you like. 

And to top to top it off, this gel is infused with a potent combination of revitalizing ginseng, vitamins B and C and a natural UV filter.

Loving it!!

Posted by Unknown at 10:55 AM - 0 comments

5 Mistakes Clients Make When Looking For The Best Salon

 I often get questions from readers asking how they should go about looking for a new salon. Being a hairstylist in a salon 5 days a week I thought it would be helpful for me to keep these tips in mind as well.

So here are some tips on your search for your next fabulous hairstylist.

1) The fancier the salon, the better it is.

You've heard of “smoke and mirrors?” Well in this case, it’s more like “smoke and chandeliers.” It is important to remember that the purpose of a hair salon is to provide you with a clean, professional environment and the best hair service possible. When you leave the salon, you should feel inspired and happy with your hair.
 A great hair salon should be able to sell itself with or without the experience of a boutique hotel. It depends on the client, do you want to pay for a quality haircut and also pay for the champagne, tea and crumpets? If that's what you're looking for, then please enjoy. But don’t let those little perks distract you from getting what you truly want from your salon – great hair!!!



2) You should go to a salon because someone who works there is advertised as a celebrity hairstylist.



Please keep in mind that the one sure way for us hairstylists to get more attention is to say we have touched a celebrity. When this happens, we are instantly pushed into another dimension. This puts us in the public eye and allows us to charge more.

 Having had the opportunity to work on the occasional celebrity has been a wonderful experience, and yes, it has helped my career. However, I'm not a “celebrity hairstylist,” and yes, that is a disclaimer! LOL! (I do work for one though.)



If you are looking for a celebrity hairstylist experience that will knock your shoes off, then I encourage you to pursue that. There are many to choose from, but do your research. People may advertise themselves as such, but many may not have touched a celebrity for many years. While living in Miami for the last year, I met so many “celebrity hairstylists” that I had never heard of, I couldn’t even keep count! Remember, celebrity stylists aren’t supposed to award themselves that status; if they have earned it, the public will give them the title.


3) You should seek a "celebrity experience" ( be treated like a celebrity) when you get your hair done.

To be honest, if you are not a celebrity, then your haircut can’t be a "celebrity experience." (I crack myself up.) And what does that mean anyway? Ladies, you deserve the best because you are fabulous individuals, each with assets that only you possess. The experience you deserve entails getting great hair, respect, your money’s worth, and a hairstylist that will tell you the truth, rather than someone who will think of your wallet first.


4) A referral from a friend is a guarantee that you’ll love the salon too.

I will say that I love my dentist, my doctor, and my personal trainer, but that does not mean any one of them is right for you. My clients love me, but that does not mean I'm right for all of their friends either. I recommend taking a referral from someone who has similar hair, especially if your hair is curly, fine, or short. And even then, remember that a referral is no guarantee you’ll love the place or the stylist, though it is a step in the right direction.

Another important aspect of your salon experience, apart from your being happy with your hair, is the connection between you and the hairstylist. Let's face it: it's a relationship in the making, so the vibe between you and your potential stylist is important.

You may also find a hairstylist that you can hardly bear to be around, but who gives you kick-ass results. In that case, it's for you to decide whether or not your hair is worth the headache. Before seeing the recommended hairstylist, go in for a consultation. Your first impression will probably tell you what you need to know before you decide whether or not to proceed with that particular pro.

5) You found a salon had great reviews on an online search engine, so they’ll obviously give you great hair.

Okay, this one is the best of all! Rumor has it that some hairstylists ask their friends to write reviews for them online. It's hilarious! Once upon a time, strong online reviews were a great thing. Then it started working against hair stylists – particularly the ones with overblown online reviews – because clients’ equally inflated expectations were not being met. I always say, the proof is in the pudding. You need to see it and taste it for yourself to know how good it is.

So with these tips in mind, stay strong during your search for a great stylist and love your hair baby!!

Posted by Unknown at 11:02 AM - 0 comments