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The How-To Lounge: Coping With Gray Hair

DearSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 10:00:00 -0700

A girlfriend of mine just noticed her first gray hair! Since I haven't spotted one on myself yet, I couldn't commiserate with her, but since we aren't getting any younger, I thought now would be a good time to address the issue!

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First and foremost, don't panic! Most of us will eventually get gray hair and, in the grand scheme of things, it isn't the end of the world
The science behind our hair going gray is down to the cells in our hair follicles called Melanocytes. Over time, the Melanocytes stop generating pigment which causes our hair to have a transparent appearance in turn, looking gray against our darker hair
If you have a lot of grays that you want to get rid of, find a great hair stylist. Get your hair colored every six to eight weeks and stick with highlights and or low lights, as they have a smoother grow out period than all over color
I was always under the impression that if you pluck one gray hair, more will grow, but luckily, it's an old wives' tale. Since the hair is technically dead, all you are doing is removing a dead cell from the follicle, which will not cause more to grow
Unfortunately, going gray is just a part of getting older. Some go prematurely gray while others, thanks to their genes, don't go gray until later in life, and some are lucky enough to not go gray at all. Then there are some that look great with their gray hair, or even salt and pepper (George Clooney anyone?!) so whatever your reaction is to the change, try to keep it all relative!

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The How-To Lounge: Making Your Hair Color Last Longer

DearSugar — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 10:00:00 -0700

Changing your hair color can be so much fun, especially if you're in need of a new look but don't want to lose your length. Your hair color says a lot about who you are so if you're one that feels like you practically live in the salon, here are some tips to help your color last longer.

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Make sure you like and trust your colorist. He or she doesn't have to be the best stylist in town, but they do need to be the best person for you
Keep in mind that highlights have a smoother grow out period than all over color. They also look more natural, especially during the summer time when your hair tends to get naturally lighter from the sun
Always condition your hair. The better condition your hair is in to begin with, the longer your color will hold
You should aim to get your hair colored every 6-8 weeks depending on how fast your hair grows. Keep in mind that colorists book up quickly so it's best to make your next appointment before leaving the salon so you don't end up in a jam - or three inch roots
Try to go as long as possible without washing your hair after getting it colored. Let the color settle and when you finally do have to breakdown and give it a good shampoo, rinse with cold water to close the cuticles of your hair
Whatever color you are, use matching color enhancing products - remember to buy both the shampoo and the conditioner - they only work when used together
Keep your color treated hair out of the sun if possible. Not only will it dry out your hair, but it will also wreak havoc on your color. Also, avoid chlorine at all costs. The chemicals can strip your color and even turn blonde hair green - no, it isn't a myth!

I hope these tips help and have fun with your color, you only live once!

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The How-To Lounge: Getting an Appointment with a Top Stylist

DearSugar — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Girls will be girls and let's be honest; we care about how we look. From our hair to our dry cleaning, being a woman can be rather expensive, yet it doesn't stop that select few from splurging on whatever makes them feel beautiful. Beautiful women grace the pages in magazines and are splashed on billboards everywhere you turn, and their hair and make up is always flawless. We pull inspiration from these women, look to them for beauty tips, but it just never looks the same when we try to replicate the look. But, what if you could actually have your hair styled, cut or colored by one of these stars' trusted stylists? Well, it can be done if you follow these easy fool proof tips.

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Since top stylists book up quickly, be prepared make an appointment months out
When you call to book an appointment, ask to be placed on the cancellation list and make yourself available
Don't book a top stylist for a simple trim. Chances are his or her prices are high so make your appointment worth your while and make your appointment when you are ready for a new look
If you are a first time client, getting an appointment with the top stylist might be difficult. Try booking an appointment with his or her assistant or another stylist in the salon so they can get to know you and recognize your face
It can't hurt to introduce yourself to the stylist you wish to see in the future. Let he or she know you are on their cancellation list and look forward to the opportunity to work together soon
Once you get in, make yourself memorable. Spark up good conversation and try to make a personal connection
Before you leave the salon, book your next appointment, and don't forget to tip well

While seeing a top hair stylist isn't important for everyone, it's always fun to see what the hype is all about, even if it's just for one cut or color!

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John Frieda's Quick Tip on Creating Instant Volume

BellaSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:00:31 -0800

Famous hairstylist John Frieda says that most people fall into one of two groups: those who are lacking volume and those who are looking to tame their frizz. I've got you covered on the latter, and as for the former, here's a quick tip from the legendary stylist on reviving limp locks.

If you have no time to wash and style your hair, you can pump up the look with three basic ingredients: a round brush, a blow dryer, and a volumizing product, like Luxurious Volume Lavish Lift Root Booster ($6) or Oscar Blandi Volumizing Spray ($18). First, hold the hair straight up on dry hair and spray the roots. Next, take a small section from right behind the fringe, wrap it around the round brush, and blow-dry, concentrating on lifting the roots for volume. Finish off by grabbing subsequent sections of hair back toward the crown, and there you go. It's instant volume without too much effort.

Relaxed vs. Natural Hair vs. Weaves vs. Dreads

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:02:21 -0800

Here are highlights from OnSugar blog Krissy's One Stop Beauty Spot.

Women, especially black women, have the ability to change hairstyles like underwear. I support you ladies no matter what you do - just do it right and take care of your hair. For the most part we all practice the same principles when it comes to proper hair care (co-washing, ACV rinse, trims, deep conditioning, etc.). I'm always willing to help people with hair questions and concerns, or at least point them in the right direction. I know plenty of people in that area.

Where I stand on a lot of hair issues:

I'm anti kiddie perms and kiddie dreadlocks on children if they're at an age where they can't make that choice for themselves (unless, of course, it's part of your religion). It's not about the chemicals, it's about the fact that it's a permanent hairstyle on a child. What if your child decides they want to wear their natural hair? You'll have to either cut their hair to transition them to natural hair. Yes, you can remove dreads but unless someone can find me a "safe" method that doesn't damage the hair, then I won't be changing my mind about this.
I'm pro weaves and braids as long as it's done right and your hair is still being kept healthy. If your hair is being done too tight and coming out, it's time to find a new stylist.
I'm pro curly and natural hairstyles within corporate America. I hear a lot of natural haired beauties bragging about self-acceptance and mainstreaming natural hair, but they still search for corporate hairstyles because of their natural hair. A bun will always be conservative no matter what type of hair you have.
I've always encouraged hair dialogue among women of different nationalities. You'll be surprised by the things we all have in common. If your non-black friend is telling you about a great hair balm that she pays $15 for, take her on a trip to a local beauty supply store and show her where to buy it for $5.

Read the entire post here. Want to see more? Start following OnSugar blog Krissy's One Stop Beauty Spot or start your own OnSugar blog. Maybe your stories will be featured on BellaSugar.

3 Tips on Battling Wintertime Frizz in a Flash

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:00:48 -0800

Do you have flyaways galore? No doubt frizziness is a year-round issue. But now that the warmer-weathered humidity-induced frizz is pretty much no longer the cause of extreme pouffiness, lots of us get the frizzies from merely wearing scarves, hats, and gloves - not to mention the low moisture levels in the air.

Recently, famed stylist John Frieda, along with Harry Josh, gave us tips on eliminating frizz on wet locks. However, let's say you just don't have time to go through the whole blow-drying process, or your already-styled hair is showing signs of frizz galore. Here are three simple tips from the stylists on battling frizz in a flash, all on dry (as in not wet) locks. To get their expert advice, just keep reading.

Tame Your Frizz With Tips From John Frieda

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:30 -0800

Lack of body or too much frizz: "Most people fall into one [category] or the other," explains hair guru John Frieda. The solution? "A product and a technique," he says. In the 1970s and 1980s, when Frieda first started out, the majority of the products available were just for body and volume. If you had any issues with frizziness, as 60 percent of women do, you couldn't turn to your favorite anti-frizz serum or cream to quell the problem, as those types of products just didn't exist quite the way they do today. At least there was disco, right? Frieda, along with stylist Harry Josh, recently spoke on the stubborn issue of frizz. To find out how to prevent your hair from looking as if it's been hit by a Van de Graaff generator, keep reading.

Get Ashley Greene's New Moon Premiere Hairstyle!

BellaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:51 -0800

In the run-up to last night's New Moon premiere, I spoke with Ashley Greene's stylist, Ted Gibson, about how he creates her hairstyles. "It takes over an hour to create her sexy, voluminous hair," he dished. Want to find out more about how he created her look, what it's like working with her extensions, and what he does to keep her hair healthy? Then just read on.

Best of Bella

BellaSugar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:03:34 -0800

The 15 greatest America's Next Top Model photo shoots.
Going gamine: 28 famous looks to inspire you.
Five tips to get Kristen Stewart's New Moon shine.
Nine bobby pins that won't bore you.
Seven ways to mend a broken heart . . . with beauty.
Is the Blake the new Rachel?
Stylist James Corbett gives us all the new hair color trends.
Genki desu ka? It's more Guess the Japanese Beauty Invention!
15 unusual and fun manicure ideas.
Check out these beauty bargains!

Photo courtesy of The CW

Link Time!

BellaSugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:00:19 -0800

Which New Moon premiere hairstyle looks best on Kristen? - FabSugar UK
Stars wear wintry red lipstick - Stylist
The cat eye is making a comeback - Glamour
Cindy Crawford on self-image and eating disorders - The Guardian
Did Too Faced Lashlight Mascara light up Karen's life? - Makeup and Beauty Blog
When to get a wet cut, and when to get a dry cut - Allure
Re-create Nicole Kidman's piecy curls - InStyle
The cure for hair shedding is . . . garlic? - Naturally Curly