Orlo Salon Celebrates 10 Years!!!!

A very happy anniversary to Orlo Salon owned by amazing Orlando Pita!! Orlo salon became my home over 5 years ago and my world of hair has changed forever. Orlo I wish you many more years of success and look forward to seeing you all soon!

Love you Orlando Pita!!

Posted by Unknown at 12:59 AM - 1 comments

Orlando Pita's Lift & Plump Volumizing Spray Mist

Is your “volumizing” product getting you down? Does it smell too much of alcohol or leave your hair with a sticky feeling, making it difficult to comb through?

Well I recommend Orlando Pita’s Lift & Plump Volumizing Spray Mist (Professional Salon Quality). A product that truly works, it's affordable, smells pleasant and does not leave hair a sticky mess. I use this on all my clients who need volume and texture.

I’m tired of magazines that recommend both the high-end product and then a sub-standard version that’s cheaper or more “affordable.” This product appeals to every budget and is used across the board both professionally and for at-home use. What can I say…Lift & Plump is all-inclusive!

 Here are my personal tips on how to best apply Orlando’s latest hair product.

 First, I spray the mist to a section of hair at the root, blow dry it, then apply it to the next section. However, if you have lots of hair you can spray this mist throughout instead of just applying as you go.

For a more textured look for long to medium-length hair (that’s also thick), here's my recommendation. Once I’ve finished blow drying everything, I lightly mist the product on each section. Then I twist those sections using the heat from my fingers. It roughs up the finish a bit. For added volume after drying, I sometimes turn a client’s head upside down and rough dry. But only if it's appropriate for the finish I'm aiming for.

It's important to remember when you are using any volume-enhancing product, to apply the product at the root and spend enough time drying the root area. Don't spend all your time drying the ends…drying the root area is vital to getting volume.

Orlando Pita’s Lift & Plump Volumizing Spray Mist (Professional Salon Quality) is available at Costco in the “Beauty’s Most Wanted” section, at beautysmostwanted.com and at Orlandopitahair.com

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Assisting Orlando Pita At BCBG Fashion Week NYC Spring/Summer 2015

Yesterday was the first of many days to come to assist and learn from my boss and mentor, Orlando Pita.

We started the day with a demo where Orlando showed us the hairstyle, the technique behind achieving it and a “What Not to Do” tutorial.

The look is described as “The Bohemian Woman,” with a natural feel that’s sexy and appears as if she styled it herself.

So forget the perfect, blown out, sleek pin-straight hair, waves or curls, that is not what defines this modern individual.

Orlando Pita working his magic.

Using Chi products and a Chi flatiron we followed Orlando’s instructions, starting on hair that was either dried by hand or not perfectly blow-dried, to deliver what everyone saw gracing the runway for BCBG.

With the amazingly talented Joe Martino, my other mentor at the Orlo Salon. 

 Getting the model ready!! 

Here she is!!!

Great work Orlando!! Don't forget to follow Orlandopita on Instagram!

Stay tuned for looks from five other shows from Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week – Spring/Summer 2015. 

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A Commitment To Helping Others

I would like to share with my readers a very exciting moment in my life. I was recently awarded the Suzanne Pincus award from the WIN (Women in Need) organization for my dedication to helping families in homeless shelters.

What gratitude I feel for this recognition! However, I am even more grateful to families at WIN that have changed my life forever. They continuously show love and share their wisdom. Their stories are with me and for that, I will forever be changed.

A big thanks to all my donors who have supported my workshops, helping others in times of struggle. A special thanks to Orlando Pita and Orlo Salon for their continuos love and support!!

(Above standing with 2 amazing staff from WIN, Alyssa Montoya & Cierra Jordan.

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Orlando Pita Hair Mask

I have tried and tested many hair masks over the past 15 years. Some I loved and some were, well, good enough. Today I share with you the Orlando Pita Hair Mask, a hair mask that works! 

Do you have dry, frizzy hair that's color treated? How about thick hair? By that I mean hair so thick, it takes a few minutes before water hits your scalp. And let's not forget double processed hair. If you fit any of these descriptions, then I have a hair mask that will work wonders.

This hair mask delivers fast nourishment, tames frizzing and makes it easier to blow dry hair. What else do we need in life? ;)

Hair tip #1

If you use a lot of silicones, Moroccan oils or any other oils in your hair, I recommend getting a clarifying shampoo. Why?

Most women who use oils and silicones have buildup on their hair and scalp. It can be caused by excessive product use, a shampoo that's too moisturizing (not enough cleaning action), or not rinsing out shampoos and conditioners enough.

In other words everyone should have two shampoos, one recommended by your stylist and a clarifying one. I recommend the Phyto Phytoneutre Clarifying Shampoo. It's not over-priced and yet contains loads of natural ingredients. If you want your new hair mask to work, then give it a chance by starting with a clean head of hair.

Hair tip #2

For thick hair, use a clarifying shampoo every 3 – 4 days. For color-treated hair, mix with a little bit of regular shampoo to dilute. This is to avoid color fading.

If you have hair that's dry, fine and brittle, only use a clarifying shampoo every 6-8 weeks. Mix your clarifying shampoo with your regular shampoo to weaken the clarifying shampoo a bit. This little tip will make all the difference before applying a great hair mask.

How to apply Orlando Pita’s Hair Mask

Shampoo and rinse your hair, squeezing out as much water as possible. For thick hair apply generously throughout. It's a big jar and a little goes a long way so lather that hair baby! (The thickness of the hair will determine how much product you should use.

With a super wide-tooth comb, start combing from the ends, to the scalp. Rinse very well, by well I mean don't leave any residue in your hair thinking it will help. Your hair will have already absorbed all the nutrients it needs.

FYI - I don’t have any advertising on my blog, so their are no kick backs…just my honest opinions on products that I tried over time and that actually work!

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My Recent Work- From Runway To Everyday

These two looks are inspired by the hair from Carolina Herrera Fall 2014 RTW and Elie Saab from his haute couture show in Paris 2014. Both looks were originally created by Orlando Pita.

Look 1

The first look is a high chignon. I decided to alter the shape and technique a bit for everyday.

First I made a tight, clean ponytail. Using a packet of hair, I purchased at the Wig Shop on 14thstreet, I cut it in half without unraveling all the hair. 

 I pinned one half above the ponytail and one half below.

I then curled the hair with the T3 Body Waver to seal the cuticle adding shine and bounce to the ponytail. You can see it on the table:)

Next I wrapped the three pieces into a bun. It's very important to use hair pins as you work, as it's the only way you’ll have control.

After pinning the bun in place, you can literally squeeze the entire chignon into a shape that flatters you.

Look 2

The second style looks simple but was a pain in the ass! Lol! I'm not perfect… :)

I removed the bun, brushed the hair out and sprayed some Revive Dry Shampoo by Orlando Pita.

I started by taking a section from ear to ear (above the top of the head).

Next I flat-ironed the back section of her hair using my new SinglePass Flatiron from T3 and back-combed the crown for volume.

I made a short, clean center part. Then I rolled the two front sections about 2 inches above the ear. To get rid of the two pieces (or tails) of hair you're left with after rolling, simply pin them underneath the back section (at the back if the head.)

Looks good…however I need to chat with Orlando Pita to perfect this.

Photographer Jiyang chen
Makeup Gina Daddona

Posted by Unknown at 7:14 PM - 0 comments

Working At Michael Kors Fall 2014

"California girl moved to NYC for the winter and she's been urbanized"  that's how Orlando described the hair for today's show.

The hair was messy. textured and chunky, (not frizzy, wispy or flat). Then a loose braid was done at the back and tucked at the nape. What I loved about this style and technique is it can be used on all hair types.

Now remember, it's a "hairstyle" so it will take some "hairstyling" to achieve this look. In other words don't think because it's messy you can just tool out of bed and do a braid and voila! No honey boo boo child, if your hairs curly blow-dry it and flatiron if necessary. If your hair is clean and silky, dirty it-up a bit.

Click Here to see the Products used to achieve this look!

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Working At Oscar De La Renta Fall 2014

As I mentioned in my last article, when you assist Orlando Pita at Fashion Week, be prepared for a few surprises. Yesterday at Oscar De La Renta's Fall fashion show, we were all shocked to see 41 beautiful human hair wigs that needed to be cut short! As my friend would say, "Girl we gagged!!!"

Orlando started his demo and in no time the model was transformed.

 It was no easy task getting 41 girls to hair and makeup and on the runway in a few hours, but as usual we pulled it off.

 The girls were stunning! See if you can recognize your favorite super model?

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Working At Carolina Herrera NYFW14

Today we faced a huge challenge at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. At the Carolina Herrera show Orlando Pita had us create an elegant bun that was absolutely jaw-dropping.

When Orlando Pita showed us the demo, he made it seem effortless.

 But having worked with him for several seasons now and seen the level of skill involved in each hair style, we all knew the more simple the do, the harder it is to create.

The way it works is that every models' finished hair style must get Orlando's stamp of approval before they are sent off to get dressed. So off we went, working each bun til it was perfectly symmetrical and clean.

This look has the fashion world talking and Carolina Herrera designs were flawless!

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Working At DVF NYFW2014

As we arrived for the second show of the day, we were all excited to see what DVF and Orlando Pita had instore for us. As Orlando started the demo, he explained that this look was inspired by a ballerina rehearsing in a dance studio with a messy bun that was obviously done in a hurry, but with the power to stay in place. The bun was placed in line with the ear and cheek bones, directly at back of the head (not on top).

First, we started off by not brushing the hair, only raking through it with our fingers. Using only fingers allows for the hair to still look a bit messy and textured. 

 

Then we took an elastic and made a ponytail. We started twisting the tail of the hair into a bun.

However as the bun started taking shape, we intentionally pinned the hair along the way, distorting the shape from a perfect bun to a messier slept-in bun.

 

Several of the models had vastly different textures of hair and some were coming from previous shows with loads of product still in their hair. This made our job even more time consuming, as there are no sinks backstage to wash hair!

To complete the look, we used Biosilk Strong Hold Finishing Spray to take care of any fly-aways and voila!

 Don't forget to follow Orlando Pita on FB, Twitter and Instagram @Orlandopitahair

Posted by Unknown at 7:54 PM - 0 comments

Working At Derek Lam Fall NYFW 2014

Orlando Pita called us together early in the morning at the site for the Derek Lam fashion show and gave us a demo. For this show, the hair was inspired by different ethnic tribes. This particular look evolved...first at the trial he created a different hairstyle for Derek and as they were changing it, Derek said, "Stop! That's it!"

To begin with, we blew dry the hair with Phytovolume actif, when we were done blowdrying we then parted it down the middle. Next, taking the hair in large sections, we made soft waves using the T3 Bodywaver Curling Iron.

 If you have long hair and are tired of the barrel curls or the waves, which is considered old school, get this tool!

We then secured the middle part and front section of hair with Phyto Strong Sculpting Gel and Phyto Glossing Cream (only the front). We slicked back the front and made a ponytail.

 Taking the ponytail in one hand high into the air, we then backed-brushed the tail from the the end of the tail to the base of the tail using a large Mason Pearson brush.

After all the hair was backed-brushed we then lightly smoothed the surface of the tail.. We finished the look by spraying the hair with Phytolaque from Phyto. Take a look at Orlando working his magic..

 The incredible Tom Pecheux doing amazing makeup!

Fall 2014 is all about sporting a non-descpipt look for the everyday. It's more about your natural length rather than the long flowing tresses of years past...

Thanks Orlando Pita for a great show!!

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