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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

We’ve already discussed the ceremony, but wouldn’t you like to know exactly how makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic created Kim Kardashian’s gorgeous, glowing makeup for her big day? Perhaps taking inspiration from Kate Middleton’s royal wedding, Kim went for a natural, classic look as she walked down the aisle, playing up her eyes and keeping her cheeks flushed with a rosy pink blush. Here are the products that Dedivanovic used to create Kim’s look: Read More…

SUNBLOCK ALL DAY, EVERY DAY: “Many of us have severe sun damage accrued at an early age,” says Johnson. “This is a big issue cosmetically because of brown spots and potentially with more serious conditions such as basil cell carcinoma. Men and women should use a high SPF every single day, rain or shine, and don’t stop at the neck. Protect any visible skin, hands included. Also wear sunglasses to protect eyes and the eye area from wrinkles caused by sun exposure.”

EXFOLIATION IS KEY: Using an exfoliating cleanser is essential for men and women. Read More…