PopSugar

The Recession Brings Deep Cuts - in a Good Way

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:00:21 -0800

Are free haircuts for the unemployed a new trend? Last weekend, Christiano Cora salon in New York was offering gratis cuts to people who've lost their jobs, and I've heard stories about other stylists offering similar assistance. Since salons are one of the first businesses to suffer in an economic downturn, it makes sense that they'd be reaching out to their communities more - the stylists have some free time, and helping people now makes them loyal to you once they do get a job - but I still think it's a very kind gesture. Have you heard about free haircuts or deep salon discounts for people who've been laid off or hard-hit by the recession? And would you avail yourself of something like this?

Do You Book More Appointments With Your Hairstylist Than Your Doctor?

BellaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:00:52 -0800

A few years ago, I asked you how often you get your hair cut. The majority of you said that you go every few months, which was also the same response to how frequently you get highlights. When you add up all of the appointments you book with your hairstylist and colorist throughout the year, what does your magic number turn out to be?

Now, think about how many medical appointments you book throughout the year, from your primary physician to your dentist to your dermatologist. After all the math is done, where do you fall in the world of appointments? Are you more of a salon-goer, do you head to your various doctors with more frequency, or is it a little of both?

Bella Poll: How Much Are You Willing to Cut Off?

BellaSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0700

I went in for a haircut with a new stylist recently, and as soon as I sat down she asked, "What's the most you're willing to cut off during a routine trim?" I was surprised by the question, but she explained that the amount you're willing to trim off if there's damage says a lot about your overall hair philosophy. I'm personally willing to trim off quite a bit when the mood strikes. Plus, I do experimental, sometimes unhealthy, things to my hair. Now I'm curious. What's the maximum you'd ever trim off if you walked in and the stylist said she needed to? And if it's a small number, is it because you want to conserve length, or because you just know how you like your hair?

Source: Flickr User Kevin McGrew

Do You Immediately Restyle Your Hair After Leaving the Salon?

BellaSugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:00:52 -0700

Getting pampered at the salon is one of life's little pleasures, from the massage at the shampoo bowl to the precision cut down to the final blow-dry and style. Recently, a co-worker and I were chatting about our salon visits, particularly the "style" portion of the service.

Both of us agreed that while we might love the results of our actual haircut and/or color, neither one of us are ever really all that excited about the way the look was finished. This often results in some immediate restyling upon exiting the salon's door. (Once we're out of sight from the stylist's view, of course.) Call us picky or creatures of habit, I suppose. What about you? Do you leave the salon with a bounce in your step, happy with the way your hair was styled, or do you end up doing a little makeshift salon action the minute you leave?

Does Your Haircut Fall Into a Category?

BellaSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 06:00:39 -0700

HerCut, a soon-to-be-launched line of haircare products, distinguishes itself in the market by offering products by haircut, not hair type. Many of you said you'd be interested in the concept, but were concerned that the line seems to forgo texture, an important element in styling. (More about my experience in trying HerCut later.) With all this talk of haircuttery, I have to ask: does your hairstyle actually fall into a specific category, is it a blend of two or more cuts, or is it practically indescribable?

Have You Ever Asked For a Hair Redo?

BellaSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:00:36 -0700

Have you ever left the salon feeling not-so-fabulous about your cut or color? Maybe the blond was a little too yellow for your liking, or there was an obvious bleed mark in your fringe. Or perhaps it was just that your new cut wasn't cooperating with the texture of your hair, leaving you with a string of bad hair days.

As for me, most recently, it was the latter. I liked the shape of my cut, but for some reason, nothing else was cooperating. Since I wasn't completely satisfied, I called up and asked for a redo. Ah, much better. Have you ever phoned in a "part two" for your hairstyle?

Ryder Robinson Rocks a Shorter Hair Style!

LilSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:00:23 -0700

Kate Hudson hit the town with her 5-year-old sidekick, Ryder, who must have had his first hair cut! The lil guy known for his long dirty-blond locks now has a shorter-length look that frames his cute face. Twenty-two percent of lilsugar readers clipped their child's hair before their first birthday and just about everyone else gave clipper consent before their kiddo headed to kindergarten. Kate, a laid-back mama known for her bohemian and beachy style, might have liked her son's straggly strands and may have had a hard time parting with them. Do you prefer Ryder's old rocker look that resembled that of his daddy, Chris, or the new 'do?

More Tips For Stretching Out a Haircut

BellaSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:00:42 -0700

Are you in between haircut appointments? Or maybe you're like me, and you're looking to save money by going to your stylist less often. While we're on the topic, be sure to check out some recession-proof hair color tips for low-cost ideas on keeping color looking fresh. Earlier, I shared with you a few tips on stretching out a haircut, and here are some more:

Protect yourself: Sunlight and damage from heat can result in unhealthy, fried-looking hair. Keep your hair on track by using heat protection before plugging in that flat iron or curling iron. Also, consider using a spray-in sunscreen on your locks, like Aveda Sun Care Protective Veil ($20).
Big bang theory: Take up those offers on complimentary bang trims. You'll look instantly more polished. Better yet, give yourself the DIY treatment.
Fake it: Frustrated? Try fake-it style to experiment with different lengths. Bobby pins are always your friend, especially when they have a little something extra special, like these Gem Bobby Pins ($10) from Free People.
Time crunch: If you don't have lots of time for regular trips to the stylist, consider a medium to long style with subtle layers. It should grow out nicely and leave you with lots of room for styling options.

Or you could always jump on the latest Summer trend and shave it, right?

What Do You Know About Barbershop History?

BellaSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Yesterday, the New York Times featured an article regarding the differences in customer loyalty when it comes to men and women. It probably comes as no surprise that men show their devotion to groups and companies, such as barbershops, while women are more loyal to the stylist than the salon. But, we already knew that anyway, right?

In some sort of roundabout way, this got me thinking about good old barbershops. Did you ever wonder why the distinctive rotating sign is the way it is, or what tools were used in early barbering? Take my quiz to find out.

Take the quiz

Send in Your Bad Hair Pics For Hairstyle Appreciation Day!

BellaSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:00:52 -0700

It's National Hairstyle Appreciation Day. Who would have known it? To celebrate this momentous occasion, we've been digging through our photo archives - and unfortunate, embarrassing "tagged" photos on Facebook - in search of the hairstyles we did not appreciate all that much. I've started you off with a shot of a past hair misstep, and now it's your turn. Just head over to the 2009 Hairstyle Appreciation Day group, and post pictures of your least favorite styles. At the end of the day, I'll gather them up in a gallery for all to enjoy.
(In case you're wondering, I'm on the top row, second from the left in all my big-hair glory.)