Are you using your hair spray properly? Many of us just lacquer and go, but there’s an art to misting. Understanding when to use a light or strong hold can make a world of difference in the style and health of your strands. Since it’s vital to grasp these basics, we chatted with Sebastian Professional spokesperson Janine Jarman, owner of Hairroin salon in Los Angeles, as well as stylist Chad Cardoos from Yoshi Hair Studio in Beverly Hills about the do’s and don’t of hair spray technique.

AEROSOL VS. NON AEROSOL

“When it comes to styling, I prefer to use aerosol sprays because you get more control and better coverage,” says Chad. “Non aerosols tend to produce more of a wet look.” For naturally curly-hair, non-aerosol sprays are an ideal alternative to gels.

FORMULA NAMES

Working

The least amount of hold, working hair spray is

buildable and non-sticky. “It’s great for running through strands as you create an updo or soft, touchable waves,” explains Chad.

Styling

Used to thicken, volumize, or add texture, styling hair spray Read More…

There were a lot of really strong hair trends that emerged in 2011. Some were exciting when they first popped up, and we even indulged in a few (likepink dip dye hair). However, like anything that gets too much exposure, we are now ready for the next new thing. Maybe we just have beauty ADHD.

While we’re still trying to wrap our heads around what might be big in 2012 (Wet, slick hair? Please…no.) here’s a reminder of what we (and Lauren Conrad) did to our heads in 2011. So let’s review and then move on.  Read More…

Cosmetologist Chicago, owners and producers of America’s Beauty Show is celebrating its 100th anniversary as an organization of and for salon professionals. As the 2012 ABS approaches Paul Dykstra, executive director of Cosmetologists Chicago and CEO of America’s Beauty Show, and Frank Gironda, president of Cosmetologists Chicago, spoke with MODERN SALON’s Jan Hillenmeyer about the association’s past and future and what we can expect at ABS 2012.

MODERN SALON: COSMETOLOGISTS CHICAGO IS 100 YEARS OLD. THAT IS AN AMAZING STATISTIC. GIVE US A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF SOME OF CC’S MILESTONES?

PAUL DYKSTRA: A small group of salon owners came together in 1912 to form the Chicago Hairdressers & Wigmakers Association. Their goal was to support and help each other build a better beauty profession and business. One hundred years later, that small group is today’s 9,000-member Cosmetologists Chicago (CC). I’ve heard so many anecdotes of the association’s accomplishments in my 25 years with Cosmetologists Chicago and yet CC’s goals remains the same: The members are all about giving back and helping make the beauty profession stronger.

MS: COSMETOLOGISTS CHICAGO IS BEST KNOWN FOR ITS OWNERSHIP AND PRODUCTION OF AMERICA’S BEAUTY SHOW. HOW DOES THE ASSOCIATION PLAN FOR THE SHOW EACH YEAR?

PD: Cosmetologists Chicago’s ownership of America’s Beauty Show makes it a very unique organization. Each year the management team and I take our direction for each aspect of the show from working cosmetologists who are members of CC. We don’t decide what we think members want; we listen and act Read More…

Calling all hair, make-up and nail technicians—professionals AND students!! Show off your creativity and win prizes including cash, educational opportunities and runway recognition in the 2012 STARS Photo Competition at America’s Beauty Show in Chicago, Illinois, March 3-5, 2012.

This year ONLY Professionals may enter all three hair, make-up and fashion categories for a chance to win the Leo Passage Gold Trophy! Cosmetologists Chicago will annually award The Leo Passage Gold Trophy to the top cumulative winner in the Stars Photo Competition. Crafted after the prestigious Original Gold Trophy of Cosmetologists Chicago’s Midwest Beauty Show, The Leo Passage Gold Trophy will be engraved with the name of each year’s winner and at Pivot Point headquarters. Each Gold Trophy recipient will receive a replica of the trophy plus $1,000 and Cosmetologists Chicago Lifetime Membership.

Read More…

Country music’s leading ladies hit high notes on this year’s CMA red carpet. Opting for subtle makeup and sky-high hair, the singers displayed sophisticated glamour with a dash of southern flair. Check out the top beauty trends from last night. Then, vote on your favorite look below.

WOW LASHES

So long, smoky eyes! Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Nicole Kidman proved you don’t always need dramatic eye shadow to make a statement. The trio sported long, feathery lash extensions that made their pretty eyes really stand out.

Beautylish recommends: Smashbox Maxi Eyes Lash & Glue Kit

BIG HAIR

Lauren Alaina went all out with a towering half-up, two-toned débutante style, while Faith Hill added extra volume at the crown Read More…

All fashion trends are cyclical, and in recent years have gradually modernised the looks of the 20th Century and planted them firmly in the 21st. Such a modernisation of past styles is especially true of men’s hair trends in 2011: it’s out with the new, and in with the old. Or at least an old hair style with a new twist.

2011 sees men’s hair styles fall into two distinct categories: school boy and rocker. But while the rocker look is certainly a 20th Century creation, the resulting hair style finds its roots (if you’ll pardon the pun) distinctly in 19th Century Britain. And so it is in 2010; while the odd 2010 runway collection featured something akin to a grunge revival, the majority of us will live out 2010 with a refined, classically inspired hair cut. Read More…

You think it’s never too early to start wrinkle treatment (you can prevent fine lines, right?), but just like Botox for teens, some anti-aging treatments are a waste of time if you’re not ready for them yet. So Beautylish chatted with an expert in the field, Jim Wilmott, chief scientific offer of Leading Innovations, and former Executive Director of Global Skin Care for Chanel about how stem cells work­—and who should try the treatments.

WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?

Just what are stem cells? Molecular building blocks that renew bones, organs, and blood vessels. In humans these important cells also exist in the lowest level of skin, working to repair damaged or diseased tissue. “Stem cells are critical to the quality of tissue in the outer layer of skin,” says Jim. “When you’re younger, your stem cells reproduce rapidly, causing skin to turn over naturally about every 26 days. However, as you get older Read More…

For some guys, brows are just those two things above their eyes that remain untouchable. For us girls, this can be a problem. Luckily for everyone, men’s grooming is on the rise, as is the amount of guys heading into salons to get their brows trimmed. A brow trim or clean-up not only makes your guy look more polished and better taken care of, it can also make him look more awake! We spoke with Ramon Padilla, director of Strip Ministry of Waxing and Browhaus in New York City, to find out the best way to get your guy to the salon, and how to look after those brows. Read More…

The hair wars are heating up. Last Friday, Drybar — the West Coast-based blow-dry chain — opened at 4 West 16th Street in Manhattan, featuring chick flicks (subtitled so they can be enjoyed despite the din) and iPhone charging. It’s the first of two Manhattan outposts slated for fall (the other will be in Midtown), offering $40 blowouts — regardless of hair length. Since the price is set, “there’s no pressure,” Alli Webb, a Drybar founder, said at the press preview as she masterfully styled me.

Meanwhile, the prices at Blow, a popular blow-dry spot that opened in the meatpacking district in 2006, vary from $40 to $60 for a blowout, more if flat-iron work is included. On my first visit to the salon, which also offers cut, color and nail services, I was only informed at the end of a blowout by my stylist, Chrissy, that it would cost $50 Read More…

Wrinkles aren’t the only indicators of age! Here are other ways your face reveals your true birthday

Just as the eyes are the windows to the soul, your facial features can forecast if you’re predisposed to age well. Skin-care experts say these visible signs combined with lifestyle choices and an understanding of your genetic makeup can give a surprisingly accurate reading of how Mother Nature’s hands will shape and transform your face over time.

The first facial asset you can hope to be blessed with: a round or heart-shaped visage, versus a long, thin one that is more prone to fat loss. Though you may have cursed its fuller appearance growing up, facial skin that has an increased number of fat cells maintains a youthful look longer.

Prominent cheekbones are also considered golden. “If you’re blessed with nice high cheekbones, you definitely hit the jackpot,” says celebrity aesthetician Renée Rouleau. “Your cheeks won’t sag as much over time… Read More…