Allowing hair to dry naturally protects it from heat damage, but blow-drying on occasion can aid in straightening efforts and controllability. Special shampoos and hair care products provide relief for intense exposure to the sun and chlorinated water. Sometimes summer days and humid nights cause bad hair days despite your efforts, so keeping a hat or visor on hand may be a great solution. No matter where you go, keep a ponytail holder handy in case you need to put your hair up.

To defeat the frizzies, here are some tips:
• Get your hair cut regularly. Split ends make your hair look even more frizzy.
• After you shampoo, rinse with cold water — as cold as you can stand it — to help the cuticle layers of your hair lay flat.
• Apply an ice cube to your tresses to tame frizzy hair.
• Rinse your hair immediately after returning from the pool or beach. Chlorine and salt water can add to dryness and frizzies.
• For a new look, braid your hair while it is still wet for a sleek, bold look. Add a little pomade to keep it in place.
• If you want to wear your hair straight, consider applying some spray gel or anti-frizz gel.

When all else fails, tie your hair up in a trusty ponytail or add a cute hat.

Picture Perfect ~ Healthy, Sexy, Bridal Hair

Plan Your Look – As soon as you’ve found “the dress,” decide how you want to wear your hair and makeup for the big day. Start growing your hair if you think you’ll want it longer. Now’s the time to test new looks. If you’re contemplating a drastic cut or color change – do it now( if you are 6 months out) – and leave time to get used to your new do, or change it back.

If you like your current cut and color, then the people who cuts and colors your hair now should continue to do so.  However, they may not be the most experienced with up do’s or hair styles for your big day, and not all stylists are comfortable working with headpieces.   Ask for a recommendation at your regular salon keeping in mind you may be selecting a different look for your big day, and that may mean picking someone other than your usual stylist.  Audition stylists until you find one you love; if your regular salon does not have a referral, ask friends and fellow brides for recommendations. Once you select someone, he or she can help you come up with a wedding-day hairstyle.  Next, decide if you’re going to have your hair done at the salon or at your house. If it’s the latter, set up the appointment well in advance, blocking out enough time to ensure a rush-free session. If you’re going it alone, a good stylist will work with you in advance to get the right look. Then practice it, getting the routine down with the right products. If you want to experiment, do it early. Next comes the headpiece and more decisions. Do you plan to wear it the entire day, or do you want the option of taking it off for the reception party? That could make a difference in your hairstyle choice. Bring a photograph of the headpiece (or the accessory itself) and dress with you to the salon as soon as you make the selections. You and your stylist can make sure your plans are on the right track, or if changes should be made.

Your choice of headpiece, gown and hairdo should complement each other. Some experts say that the more elaborate the gown, the simpler the headpiece should be. Similarly, the more elaborate the headpiece, the simpler the hairstyle should be.
Upswept styles, including the chignon and the French twist, are natural complements to dresses with Victorian-style necklines. The French twist, with a few tendrils left free, is ideal for dresses that have dramatic cuts that expose the back or shoulders. Don’t forget about your attendants. Talk to them about their hair plans; perhaps even book them in the same salon, with a different stylist.

Discuss the long-range game plan with your salon. Map out approximate times for cut and color appointments. It’s recommended that your last color appointment be scheduled a couple of weeks before your wedding (no less than one week) and your last cut two weeks before the big day. This also allows you plenty of time to get your hair into top shape with conditioning treatments, if you need them.

Finally, establish a hair care and conditioning regimen and stick to it.  For chemically treated hair, avoid chlorinated pools, hot tubs and Jacuzzis. they can discolor chemically treated hair. 

BEST OF BEAUTY

When you want to know the best, you go to the experts. We consulted four beauty professionals, who shared their favorite products. Now you know their secrets to getting the look.

The beauty industry never stops trying to lure you into buying new primping products. With each season comes a slew of new lip glosses, eye shadow palettes and hair products that promise to do the kind of things miracles are made of. Consumers find themselves swimming in a sea of claims and cures. The never-ending dilemma seems to be which to pass up and which to convert to.

We’d like to ease the stress of such life-altering decisions. Here, we provide you with opinions from industry professionals. These are the people who know the products inside out and have cut out most of them to provide clients with superior service. Take a look at the products that make their best of beauty lists.

• Shampoo: Kerastase Bain Chroma Riche, $32, Kim Vo Salon at Mirage. If you’re going to invest in your color you should invest to help protect it.

• Conditioner: Schwarzkopf Professional Bonacure BC Hairtherapy Repair Rescue, $15, Color at Caesars. You will feel like you’ve left the spa every time you use it.

• Hairspray: Paul Mitchell Worked Up, $14.95, A Robert Cromeans Salon at Mandalay Bay. A great nonsticky spray that is totally workable with a brush.

• Volumizer: Nexxus Root Exxtend, $11.99, Ulta. Really creates fullness without the residue.

• Masque: Natures Miracle $6.99, sleekhair.com

• Pomade: Tancho $12, joybeauty.com. A Japanese product that is pure vegetable oil with lavender that is great for shine.

• Straightening Product: Phyto Phytodéfrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm, $26, Sephora. Great for control without leaving any residue or greasiness.

• De-frizzer: Bed Head After Party $17.99, Walgreens. Controls the flyaways for silky, smooth, shiny hair.

• Curling Iron: Hot Tools curling irons, $42 to $49.99, Ulta. They heat up fast and they do the job.

• Flat Iron: Chi flat irons, $149.95 to $194.95, Beauty Center. The ceramic plates protect the hair from damage and they evenly distribute the heat for sleek, shiny hair.

• Blow Dryer: Ergo, $249.95, beautychoice.com. So great for a professional looking blow dryer that works just as well.

• Beauty Secret: Celebrities only wash their hair every three days or so. This helps encourage the natural oils to penetrate and rehydrate the hair. This is the trick used to keep color lasting longer.

• Can’t Live Without: Kim Vo Dry Serum Perfect Polish, $55, Kim Vo Salon at Mirage. The leave-in serum is weightless and reshapes dry, frizzy mops into silky, shiny locks.

Full Article

Hair Care Challenge: Ojon vs. Giovanni

I don’t spend as much time or money on makeup as I used to, and I have settled into a skin care routine that I like, but the one thing I continue to experiment with is my hair. It’s been long, short, layered, bobbed, colored and straightened, but the one thing that never changes is the frizz. Boy, do I hate that frizz! For probably 3-4 months I have been consistently using Giovanni Smooth as Silk Shampoo ($7.99 for 8.5oz) and Smooth as Silk Conditioner ($7.99 for 8.5oz), and for the most part I have been happy. The pair deal pretty well with my frizz, the ingredients are more on the natural side (which I really like) I have to admit I was pining for something a little more luxurious and pampering, and somehow I found myself  one day looking at hair care.

I explained to the saleswoman what I was looking for, and she enthusiastically escorted me to Ojon Shine & Protect Shampoo ($22 for 8.4oz) and Shine & Protect Conditioner ($24 for 8.4 oz). She swore that Ojon is amazing, that she uses the products herself, and so on and so on. I think they must be paid to say that stuff. I was compelled by the promise of super shiny and frizz-free hair, so I bought them both.

After about two months using Ojon, I have to say that the difference between my hair on Ojon and my hair on Giovanni was not all that noticeable. I also blew through the Ojon conditioner, as it is lighter and more fluid than the Giovanni. At $24 a bottle, I hoped it would last longer. I still have a ton of shampoo (you only need a little), so I continue to use it but I pair it with the Giovanni conditioner, which I now buy in bulk at the store for $8.99 per pound! I guess this is the best of both worlds, but once the Ojon shampoo is gone, I will be refilling my empty bottle with bulk Giovanni shampoo. Ojon was fun to try, but for the price and what it does for my hair, I am sticking with Giovanni.

Shu Uemura Art of Hair Shape Paste

We love everything about Shu Uemura’s new hair line, from the sophisticated, minimal packaging to the refreshing floral scents. This paste gives hair shape and definition without that dreaded crunchy feel.

ban de terre’s NEW Prime Time™ Camomile Styling Foundation

First let me say that this styling product lives up to its expectations. As with all ban de terre botaniceuticals products, this one is no exception to the rule. Three participants from our office took samples home and all came back reporting great results. While not overbearing, the botanical fragrance alone of this styling product makes it even more of a pleasure to use. As what woman doesn’t love fragrance! The product also added incredible shine and silkiness to ones hair without weighing it down like some products. It was also great to use prior to blow drying and it appears to also minimize the appearance of split ends.

This products a 10 out 10!

Potent- Natural- Nourishing-Revitalizing

Summer is usually associated with sunburns, humidity and unruly hair…until now. New Prime Time™ Chamomile Styling Foundation by ban de terre is designed to address common hair problems we all deal with during the warmest months.

Prime Time™ Chamomile Styling Foundation includes breakthrough full spectrum sunscreens which protect har from UV damage and increases the longevity of colored hair. This multi-functional lotion detangles and primes the hair’s surface, making the application of styling products easier to get maximim results.

ban de terre’s four signature botaniceuticals, magnolia bark, black currant, wild jujube, and goji berry, are ethically harvested and combined with the purest water to deliver the highest quality benefits intended by nature. Magnolia bark soothes and protects from environmental aggressors with rich essential oils. Black currant revitalizes dry and lifeless hair with nourishing vitamins A, C & E. Wild jujube delivers intense moisture and protection. Goji berry has a unique combination of amino acids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that provide powerful anti-oxidant benefits.

Protect hair from environmental elements, prevent damage, and make styling easier with Prime Time™ Chamomile Styling Foundation.